{"id":1912351,"date":"2026-04-30T14:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1912351"},"modified":"2026-04-30T14:12:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:12:00","slug":"best-cheap-gaming-laptop-of-2026-my-top-budget-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1912351","title":{"rendered":"Best Cheap Gaming Laptop of 2026: My Top Budget Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/cf345ded7df65cd05596999351be23041a84bc42\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=675&amp;width=1200&#8243;]<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-2cb5110c-ecfd-4715-9a5a-b1acaf99acd7\" class=\"c-pageArticle_body sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12 lg:u-col-start-0 u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-pageArticle_content sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12 c-pageArticle_content-izeBestList\">\n<div class=\"u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent_leftRail sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-4 lg:u-col-start-0 u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-11\">\n<div data-cy=\"bylineCard\" class=\"c-articleBylineCard c-articleBylineCard_bestList\">\n<h2 class=\"c-articleBylineCard_header c-articleBylineCard_izeBestList\">\n    Our Experts<br \/>\n  <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_authorContainer\">\n<div data-cy=\"bylineCard_images\" class=\"c-articleBylineCard_authorImages-noinfo\">\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_image g-container-round c-articleBylineCard_image-0\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/a9ba9adff40089fa2b41c5bdd9780b918a194636\/hub\/2020\/12\/16\/873e4197-9189-49b0-a5ed-4a29b914db8f\/matt-headshot-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=96&amp;width=96\" alt=\"Headshot of Matt Elliott\" height=\"96\" width=\"96\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_meta-noinfo single\">\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard__authorName-noinfo\">\n<address class=\"c-articleBylineCard_authorNameContainer\"><span class=\"c-articleBylineCard_writtenBy g-text-xsmall\">Written by\u00a0<\/span><span data-cy=\"bylineCard_link\" class=\"c-articleBylineCard_link c-articleBylineCard_link-0\"><br \/>\n              Matt Elliott<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/address>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_date-updated g-outer-spacing-top-small\">\n<div class=\"c-globalUpdatedDate\">\n  Article updated on\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-04-30T07:12:00-0800\">April 30, 2026 at 7:12 AM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"author-card-0\" class=\"col-5 c-globalAuthorCard\">\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_head\">\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_picture\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/54ecabc833869ceede9989d09abed897e8ec9ba2\/hub\/2020\/12\/16\/873e4197-9189-49b0-a5ed-4a29b914db8f\/matt-headshot-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=84&amp;width=84\" alt=\"Headshot of Matt Elliott\" height=\"84\" width=\"84\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_info\"><span class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_name\">Matt Elliott<\/span><span>Senior Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_bio\">Matt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services. Matt has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops. He has worked for CNET in New York and San Francisco and now lives in New Hampshire. When he&#8217;s not writing about laptops, Matt likes to play and watch sports. He loves to play tennis and hates the number of streaming services he has to subscribe to in order to watch the various sports he wants to watch.<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_details\"><span>Expertise<\/span><span class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_description\">Laptops | Desktops | All-in-one PCs | Streaming devices | Streaming platforms<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_linkWrapper\">See full bio<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_metaContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_header sm:u-hidden\"><span class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_title g-text-small\"><br \/>\n        Why You Can Trust CNET<br \/>\n      <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_metrics\">\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_category\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_category\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_value g-inner-spacing-right-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_valueContainer\"><span>30+<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_topic\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_topic\">Years of Experience<\/span><\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_category\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_category\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_value g-inner-spacing-right-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_valueContainer\"><span>35<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_topic\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_topic\">Product Reviewers<\/span><\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_category\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_category\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_value g-inner-spacing-right-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_valueContainer\"><span>15k<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_topic\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_topic\">Sq. Feet of Lab Space<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_disclosureContainer\">\n<p data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_message\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_message g-text-xxsmall\">CNET staff &#8212; not advertisers, partners or business interests &#8212; determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_disclosureLinks u-flexbox-row\">\n        Reviews ethics statement<\/p>\n<p>        How we test\n        <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq g-container-rounded-small c-shortcodeFaq-leftRail u-hidden\">\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_header\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq_header\">\n<p id=\"62d7515d-940f-4415-8349-fd0323e30f88\" data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_title\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq_title\">\n      What to consider\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_sections\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq_sections\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Price\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>Budget gaming laptops start at well below $1,000, but the cheapest models have older Nvidia GeForce GTX GPUs that limit your 3D gaming capabilities. The sweet spot is between $1,000 and $1,200 for a model with at least RTX 5050 or 5060 graphics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Operating system\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>MacBooks running Apple&#8217;s MacOS are popular for home, work and school use, but Microsoft Windows is the choice for gaming laptops, especially budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Screen\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>Most gaming laptops feature large displays between 15 and 18 inches with budget models usually offering a 15.6-inch or 16-inch screen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Processor\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for gaming laptops with Qualcomm emerging as a third option with its Arm-based Snapdragon X chips. You&#8217;ll still want to pay attention to the number of cores \u2014 the more, the better \u2014 to gauge potential performance as well as Intel x86 vs Arm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Graphics\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>All gaming laptops will feature a dedicated GPU from either Nvidia or AMD. Nvidia is the more popular of the two. For budget gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll see many models with the entry-level RTX 5050 GPU or step-up RTX 5060 GPU as well as older models with previous-generation RTX 4050 or 4060 GPUs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Memory\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM, with 8GB being the absolute bare minimum.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Storage\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>For a gaming laptop, we don&#8217;t recommend going with less than a 512GB SSD unless you really like uninstalling games every time you want to play a new game.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_toolbar u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_productsList\">\n<p class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_versus\">vs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_compareCta\"><span>Compare<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_table u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_tableHead\"><span>Back to selection<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-8 lg:u-col-start-5\">\n<p data-keep class=\"u-speakableText-p1\">It\u2019s a tough time to be shopping for a laptop, particularly any type of gaming laptop. Between the <span><span>global RAM shortage<\/span><\/span> driving up the price of computer memory, the <span><span>AI boom<\/span><\/span> putting GPUs in short supply and <span><span>tariffs<\/span><\/span> generally making things more expensive, laptop prices have been on the rise. A year ago, you could find a budget gaming laptop with either an RTX 5050 or 5060 GPU between $1,000 and $1,500. With few exceptions, such a laptop now costs hundreds more. Here are the best budget gaming laptops, including an MSI model with an integrated GPU that provides decent 3D performance (and great battery life) for less than $1,500.<\/p>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"listiclePrecap\" data-location=\"PRECAP\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-hide c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-compact g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-hed\">\n<section>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_header\"> Our Picks <\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"1\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/d3e3a74e73db7587031df288b0c64ce26eb8127d\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop on a gray couch\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign isFirst\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best budget gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,669 at Newegg<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.8\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is overkill for most budget gaming laptop shoppers, both in terms of price and features. But if you view it as two laptops in one \u2014 a competent gaming laptop with a reasonably large 15.1-inch display and a general-use laptop that&#8217;s thin and light enough to carry around more than occasionally \u2014 then its price north of $1,500 begins to look like a great value.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>2.5K OLED display is crisp, bright and fast<\/li>\n<li>Snappy keyboard feels fast for games<\/li>\n<li>Thin and light for its size<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Short battery life<\/li>\n<li>No biometrics for easy, secure logins<\/li>\n<li>Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports<\/li>\n<li>Always-on power button LED is annoying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"2\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/36ecb0b198ed6b0d42d5db1989520c1da3cf7137\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/95f537f0-fa02-4104-a19a-063d7678d996\/alienware-16x-aurora-overview-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora laptop sitting on a coffee table next to a vase of flowers\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Alienware Aurora 16X<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,800 at Dell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.3\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Alienware 16X Aurora might not be what you picture when you think of an Alienware gaming laptop, but what it lacks in aggressively styling it more than makes up for with its focus on the display and performance. And its price is certainly less than what you&#8217;ve come to expect from an Alienware machine. It&#8217;s simply hard to find this good a display and this level of performance for the price, although I do wish Dell outfitted it with a keyboard better suited for gaming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Big, bright and fast display<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<li>User replaceable RAM<\/li>\n<li>Crisp, 1080p Windows Hello webcam<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Keyboard isn&#8217;t best for gaming<\/li>\n<li>Audio output underwhelms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"3\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/2a22d97269804e33a6e756879fd8850cd71359d8\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/db75170e-e0c7-4522-b9f2-47661e5113db\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Panther Lake laptop at an angle on colorful desk mat\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,300 at MSI<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.0\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Prestige 14 Flip AI has a Core Ultra Series 3 processor from Intel\u2019s new Panther Lake series and offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Playable frame rates from integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics<\/li>\n<li>Around-the-clock battery life<\/li>\n<li>Thin and light and quiet<\/li>\n<li>MSI&#8217;s new Prestige design is a huge improvement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Display is only 60Hz<\/li>\n<li>Bottom panel gets hot during games<\/li>\n<li>Diving-board effect with mechanical touchpad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"4\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3fba5e2c6c1c364dfe55c92ff8327a74f4bf8317\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/f2c739de-0bc2-45aa-aef9-575a1569a07a\/lenovo-loq-15-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop on a table next to a house plant\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Lenovo LOQ 15<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,250 at Walmart<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">7.5\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Lenovo LOQ 15 is an old-school 15.6-inch gaming laptop powered by present-day AMD and Nvidia silicon. Most gaming laptops have transitioned from 15.6-inch, 16:9 displays to taller, more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. But the LOQ 15 is helping to keep the widescreen tradition alive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Good 3D performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Roomy, comfortable keyboard<\/li>\n<li>Room to expand RAM and SSD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>15.6-inch, 16:9 display looks outdated and limits overall use<\/li>\n<li>Drab design and no RGB lighting<\/li>\n<li>No biometrics for easy, secure logins<\/li>\n<li>Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"5\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/86ae857db3381160806d9dda30d4ccd1e4c7c437\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/42321740-f791-40c7-95b9-c5736777c297\/hp-omen-16-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"HP Omen 16 gaming laptop on a marble coffee table in front of a gray sofa\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Budget gaming laptop with best design<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">HP Omen 16<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$2,100 at HP<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">7.8\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The display is merely average, and the design is an all-plastic affair, but the HP Omen 16&#8217;s duo of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics delivers competitive 1080p frame rates for the price. And while the plastic shell is disappointing, it&#8217;s fairly rigid and coated with a soft-touch finish that lends it a look and feel better than true budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Competitive 1080p performance<\/li>\n<li>Good-looking design<\/li>\n<li>Long battery life<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<li>User replaceable RAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Pricey when not on sale<\/li>\n<li>All-plastic design<\/li>\n<li>Underwhelming audio output<\/li>\n<li>No speedy Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals u-flexbox u-flexbox-column u-flexbox-alignCenter g-inner-spacing-top-xlarge g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListDeals_hed u-text-capitalize u-text-center\">LAPTOP DEALS OF THE WEEK<\/h3>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_productsBlock g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Save Up to $700 on Dell PCs and Accessories<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Dell 16 DC16255 Ryzen 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 16-inch 2K Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$600<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $600)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 Intel 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 16-inch Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$759<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $510)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Intel Ultra 5 256GB SSD 8GB RAM 14-inch Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$549<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $250)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Dell 14 Premium Intel Ultra 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 14-inch 2K Laptop (Platinum)<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$1,000<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $550)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"u-text-italic u-text-center g-text-xxsmall g-outer-spacing-top-large c-bestListDeals_disclosure\">Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"c-globalToc\">\n<div class=\"c-globalToc_header\">\n<div class=\"c-globalToc_title\"><span class=\"c-globalToc_titleText\">Table of Contents<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-globalToc_dropdown g-dropShadow-hover\">\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best Cheap Gaming Laptop of 2026: My Top Budget Picks\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        What&#8217;s the best budget gaming laptop overall?\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best budget gaming laptops of 2026\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best budget gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Budget gaming laptop with best design\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best cheap gaming laptops compared\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Other laptops we&#8217;ve tested\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        How we test gaming laptops\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Budget gaming laptop FAQs\n      <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"531f1a24-a626-4f40-a600-0ef3efa750ab\" data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep data-id=\"531f1a24-a626-4f40-a600-0ef3efa750ab\">What&#8217;s the best budget gaming laptop overall?<\/h2>\n<p data-keep class=\"u-speakableText-p2\">My favorite is the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 for its ability to pull double duty as a gaming laptop and content creation machine with its high-resolution, color-accurate OLED display. I also like the Alienware 16X Aurora for its 16-inch, 2.5K display that&#8217;s both bright and fast and powered by a full-wattage RTX 5060. <\/p>\n<p data-keep>The HP Omen 16 offers strong RTX 5060 performance and comes wrapped in a good-looking chassis that features a unique and useful take on four-zone RGB keyboard backlighting. But you will want to wait for one of HP&#8217;s revolving discounts to land on it before buying. A cheaper option is the Lenovo LOQ 15, which is based on an outdated 15.6-inch display but serves up modern components for a great price.<\/p>\n<p data-keep>And if you want a do-it-all laptop that offers some semblance of gaming ability rather than a dedicated gaming laptop, you should check out the <span><span>MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/span><\/span>. It&#8217;s based on an Intel Panther Lake CPU with integrated Arc B390 graphics that actually provide playable frame rates at 1080p. And because the laptop doesn&#8217;t need to power a discrete GPU, it&#8217;s thin and light and long-running.<\/p>\n<p data-keep><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep>\n<li><span><span>How to Buy a Gaming Laptop<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><span>Best Gaming Monitors<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Desktop Computer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-keep>My recommendations are based on my own testing. I&#8217;ll update this list of the best budget gaming laptops as I review new products. Also, if you need help deciphering what specs to look for on a good, cheap gaming laptop for playing video games, I have some advice below.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"b41f6e65-b591-44f3-b3ef-14c92ecfc515\" data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep data-id=\"b41f6e65-b591-44f3-b3ef-14c92ecfc515\"> Best budget gaming laptops of 2026<\/h2>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-id=\"listicle-44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-techprodid=\"6d0f2135-5b6c-4444-9261-19b5afdac1ff\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop on a gray couch\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 has 24-zone RGB keyboard backlighting\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"The left side of the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 features a pair of USB-C ports\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 laptop has an aluminum top cover to protect the display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/ca22796feb63bca4b36a6ee600a6eb272ae04d82\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/992df4eaa9d6f81a2310abb533e9b898477a7e88\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/b1d03354-be7e-4438-a1a9-f7ddce53a475\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3dc5bf7146b987fa86332a163570a4c6ba2e36c5\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/151c4772-6e9a-4bce-b6cf-8f9602a167ea\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-ports.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/357a20279dadc4a2da0ec37a410bffbca99a373a\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/70678378-ea3f-4fb9-8fb6-90f4f9682f15\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-lid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best budget gaming laptop<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.8<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  2.5K OLED display is crisp, bright and fast\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Snappy keyboard feels fast for games\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Thin and light for its size\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Short battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No biometrics for easy, secure logins\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Always-on power button LED is annoying\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is overkill for most budget gaming laptop shoppers, both in terms of price and features. But if you view it as two laptops in one \u2014 a competent gaming laptop with a reasonably large 15.1-inch display and a general-use laptop that&#8217;s thin and light enough to carry around more than occasionally \u2014 then its price north of $1,500 begins to look like a great value.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It provides great performance for the price, and the 2.5K OLED display is outstanding. The Legion 5i Gen 10&#8217;s OLED wins the Triple Crown for displays: a high resolution for crisp text and images, a speedy refresh rate for smooth movement and a high peak brightness that allows colors to pop. It&#8217;s one of the best laptop displays I&#8217;ve ever seen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a great pick for gamers, but it&#8217;s more than just a gaming laptop. Creators engaged in color-accurate work will love the bright, high-res OLED display and the laptop&#8217;s portability relative to other gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t buy it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you need a portable laptop with good battery life, then most gaming laptops, including this one, are the wrong choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,669 at Newegg\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life\/runtime<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5 hr, 25 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 4.3 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 15.1-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 165Hz OLED<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core i7-14700HX<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        5<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-id=\"listicle-edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora laptop sitting on a coffee table next to a vase of flowers\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora single-zone RGB backlighting on keyboard\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora has a 16-inch 2.5K IPS display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop has aluminum lid\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/40aada3b902edf4fa212168054960da15ab759f2\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/95f537f0-fa02-4104-a19a-063d7678d996\/alienware-16x-aurora-overview-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/835094d505ae1ff8acb21c578cd87205ec1c6796\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/fc22e4d4-cd35-411a-9774-62a23a555974\/alienware-16x-aurora-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f0034915f5bed8c67391c4814f28948c62f5208c\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/fcea3ba5-25cf-4b8a-ac63-a43f9885578a\/alienware-16x-aurora-display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/ed6751164d89e17960d218fd1412bfb77bb81621\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/93a16f9d-8495-4cef-8fa1-2f0d881a687b\/alienware-16x-aurora-lid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Alienware Aurora 16X<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.3<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Strong performance for the price\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Big, bright and fast display\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  User replaceable RAM\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Crisp, 1080p Windows Hello webcam\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Keyboard isn&#8217;t best for gaming\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Audio output underwhelms\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Alienware 16X Aurora might not be what you picture when you think of an Alienware gaming laptop, but what it lacks in aggressively styling it more than makes up for with its focus on the display and performance. And its price is certainly less than what you&#8217;ve come to expect from an Alienware machine. It&#8217;s simply hard to find this good a display and this level of performance for the price, although I do wish Dell outfitted it with a keyboard better suited for gaming.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When sitting side by side, Dell&#8217;s two midrange gaming laptops, the Alienware 16 Aurora and 16X Aurora, are nearly indistinguishable. Each features a roomy, 16-inch, 2.5K IPS display wrapped in a buttoned-up navy enclosure. Aside from their ample size, they don&#8217;t scream &#8220;gaming laptop!&#8221; They look and are priced more like the spiritual successors to Dell&#8217;s shuttered G series than a step down from Dell&#8217;s flagship Alienware 16 Area-51. But in the case of the Alienware 16X Aurora, you&#8217;ll find plenty of gaming-centric features hidden beneath its ordinary exterior.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers with a budget of roughly $1,500 looking for a modern config with an Intel Arrow Lake CPU and Nvidia RTX 50 series GPU powering a big, bright and fast display.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you want an OLED gaming laptop for about the same price, then you should take a look at the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,800 at Dell\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 7 hr, 36 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.49 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 16-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 240Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        5<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Alienware Aurora 16X review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-id=\"listicle-8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Panther Lake laptop at an angle on colorful desk mat\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Intel Panther Lake stickers on front corner\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus new MSI logo on the lid\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus laptop in profile\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/1a9b52e4d716e89df4a84dd7eed9f3056bfc78bc\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/db75170e-e0c7-4522-b9f2-47661e5113db\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/51df0a7733e12e82ee08e2cf5b1965c0ce0ce2cc\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/cefb300d-9b15-4220-b66d-84bacd8174ac\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-intel-sticker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f62a93ca382a16136b3f053ef6005b1f61a2eaa4\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/2211c6ff-bb00-45ee-a3b2-596c725c9992\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-new-logo.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/d961b4a854c4db3a17e59453b092a70ceda195cf\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/de19c580-11d9-417e-9097-820f73eba3dd\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-profile.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.0<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Playable frame rates from integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Around-the-clock battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Thin and light and quiet\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  MSI&#8217;s new Prestige design is a huge improvement\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Display is only 60Hz\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Bottom panel gets hot during games\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Diving-board effect with mechanical touchpad\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Prestige 14 Flip AI has a Core Ultra Series 3 processor from Intel\u2019s new Panther Lake series and offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the first laptop with integrated graphics I\u2019ve tested that delivers playable 3D frame rates in AAA titles. So, without needing a dedicated GPU, the Prestige 14 Flip AI is compact, portable and quiet during operation. These are not things that usually describe a laptop capable of playing games. And it offers incredible battery life &#8212; calling it \u201call-day\u201d battery life undersells it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who wants a do-it-all laptop with enough power for gamers and creators inside a compact, lightweight design with luxuriously long battery life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t buy it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re shopping for a true gaming laptop, then you\u2019ll still want a model with dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics that supplies higher frame rates. You\u2019ll also want a display that\u2019s faster than the 60Hz panel found here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,300 at MSI\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 25 hr, 18 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 3.02 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 14-inch 1920&#215;1200 60Hz touch OLED<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core Ultra X7 358H<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Arc B390<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Memory tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 32GB<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-id=\"listicle-2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-techprodid=\"35edacf4-4fca-46e0-b0e5-47d5a7b8ee18\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop on a table next to a house plant\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 keyboard and touchpad\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 laptop with AMD and Nvidia stickers on the front corner\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 turned to show dull gray top cover\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/34dac9a6e8c31d2a32cae86de33a122e7497a889\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/f2c739de-0bc2-45aa-aef9-575a1569a07a\/lenovo-loq-15-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/86ba0179d7786dbcf8e7d9ee9836fa7d5331099a\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/de95260e-7bbf-4dbd-a70c-1c94353fae66\/lenovo-loq-15-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/b699a0ed3d562cc9e87ad8fa491ee21a98ee4b46\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/2de3b291-7ef6-4292-bef8-2f1ebb90c15e\/lenovo-loq-15-amd-nvidia-stickers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3bcaac4bba095d48f23b2769d1df9fa6a84e498d\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/ac03b0e0-83f5-4b64-ae19-42e474406e4a\/lenovo-loq-15-top-cover.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Lenovo LOQ 15<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    7.5<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Good 3D performance for the price\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Roomy, comfortable keyboard\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Room to expand RAM and SSD\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  15.6-inch, 16:9 display looks outdated and limits overall use\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Drab design and no RGB lighting\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No biometrics for easy, secure logins\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Lenovo LOQ 15 is an old-school 15.6-inch gaming laptop powered by present-day AMD and Nvidia silicon. Most gaming laptops have transitioned from 15.6-inch, 16:9 displays to taller, more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. But the LOQ 15 is helping to keep the widescreen tradition alive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The LOQ 15 serves up great performance for the price. I like getting an RTX 5060 GPU at a price where most gaming laptops offer entry-level RTX 5050 graphics. I also like roomy and comfortable keyboard and the ability to add more RAM and storage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers looking for a laptop for gaming and little else. The LOQ 15 isn\u2019t the best choice as your daily driver. It makes more sense as a secondary laptop specifically for gaming. Its 15.6-inch, 16:9 display can feel cramped for general use compared to roomier and taller 16-inch, 16:10 displays, but its resolution and aspect ratio are perfectly suited for 1080p gaming. And you&#8217;ll get more than playable frame rates at 1080p from its RTX 5060 GPU.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who wants a more modern 16-inch, 16:10 display in their next gaming laptop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,250 at Walmart\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 7 hr, 48 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.36 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 15.6-inch 1920&#215;1080 IPS 144Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> AMD Ryzen 7 250<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Lenovo LOQ 15 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-id=\"listicle-d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 gaming laptop on a marble coffee table in front of a gray sofa\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 RGB keyboard backlighting\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Front corner of the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/c22ffe1030858bef20b392ede560dcf5c4e40535\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/42321740-f791-40c7-95b9-c5736777c297\/hp-omen-16-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/6d46e351b6c5dfadb441ce4baf03dde52ee94b0b\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/a5135f52-1ecf-42ff-b715-dfe4a398646a\/hp-omen-16-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/21d2515463bbbdb4f275070d69a336cbf69954d7\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/341f174a-94ec-4aff-82a8-fefbdb522f95\/hp-omen-16-corner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/9587da1abad927f519d298ae933ae50cf6432215\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/d346e889-d8c3-4dbf-ae11-3d3cd8db10d7\/hp-omen-16-display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Budget gaming laptop with best design<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    HP Omen 16<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    7.8<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Competitive 1080p performance\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Good-looking design\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Long battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  User replaceable RAM\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Pricey when not on sale\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  All-plastic design\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Underwhelming audio output\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No speedy Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The display is merely average, and the design is an all-plastic affair, but the HP Omen 16&#8217;s duo of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics delivers competitive 1080p frame rates for the price. And while the plastic shell is disappointing, it&#8217;s fairly rigid and coated with a soft-touch finish that lends it a look and feel better than true budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It supplies good 3D performance for the price, especially when that price is massively discounted, which it often is. I wouldn\u2019t pay the full price of $2,100 for the Omen 16, but thankfully you don\u2019t have to. HP frequently discounts it where you can find it for closer to $1,500. At that price, the Omen 16 is a great value. I also liked its RGB keyboard backlighting that highlights the WASD keys and internal expansion it provides for adding more RAM and storage. Its battery life is also surprisingly lengthy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers whose budgets don\u2019t stretch much beyond $1,000 will like the Omen 16\u2019s well-rounded package and good 1080p performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who comes across it when it&#8217;s not on sale shouldn&#8217;t pay the full $1,800 for the Omen 16 I tested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$2,100 at HP\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 13 hr, 52 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.3 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 16-inch, 1,920&#215;1,200, 165Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> \tAMD Ryzen AI 7 350<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        HP Omen 16 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeChart\">\n<h2 id=\"59160c10-db04-42f8-88af-c4a6028d7923\" data-id=\"59160c10-db04-42f8-88af-c4a6028d7923\" class=\"g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-text-xlarge\">Best cheap gaming laptops compared<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>See the pricing and specs for our recommended budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chartWrapper\">\n<table aria-label=\"Best cheap gaming laptops compared\" class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Price as tested<\/th>\n<th>Display size\/resolution<\/th>\n<th>Weight<\/th>\n<th>CPU tested<\/th>\n<th>GPU tested<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<\/th>\n<td>$1,669<\/td>\n<td>15.1-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 165Hz OLED<\/td>\n<td>4.3 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core i7-14700HX<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Alienware 16X Aurora<\/th>\n<td>$1,800<\/td>\n<td>16-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 240Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.5 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/th>\n<td>$1,300<\/td>\n<td>14-inch 1,920&#215;1,200 OLED<\/td>\n<td>3.02 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core Ultra X7 358H<\/td>\n<td>Intel Arc B390<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Lenovo LOQ 15<\/th>\n<td>$1,250<\/td>\n<td>15.6-inch 1920&#215;1080 144Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.4 pounds<\/td>\n<td>AMD Ryzen 7 250<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">HP Omen 16<\/th>\n<td>$2,100<\/td>\n<td>16-inch 1,920&#215;1,200 165Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.3 pounds<\/td>\n<td>AMD Ryzen AI 7 350<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"7c1d9881-a912-4ad2-9818-5db34d87379e\" data-id=\"7c1d9881-a912-4ad2-9818-5db34d87379e\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Other laptops we&#8217;ve tested<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>Dell XPS 16: It costs as much as Nvidia RTX models but lacks RTX graphics. Still, the XPS 16 is a strong overall performer with a thin-and-light design.<\/p>\n<p>Acer Swift Edge 14 AI: It\u2019s a sleek and solid OLED laptop but forces some compromises.<\/p>\n<p>Asus Zenbook A16: It\u2019s a true AI laptop among artificial imitators and also impossibly thin and light for its size.<\/p>\n<p>Alienware 18 Area-51: It&#8217;s a dazzling and heavy-duty (emphasis on &#8220;heavy&#8221;) showcase of laptop technology for deep-pocketed gamers.<\/p>\n<p>M5 MacBook Air Review (13-inch, 2026): Go big or go Neo.<\/p>\n<p>MacBook Neo Review: It\u2019s an absolute banger of a budget laptop, but life&#8217;s too short to live without Touch ID.<\/p>\n<p>Dell XPS 14: It&#8217;s great to see Dell bring back the XPS and do so with such style.<\/p>\n<p>GeekBook X14 Pro: Geekom\u2019s first laptop is impressively thin and light but battery life disappoints. And I detest the touch pad.<\/p>\n<p>Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 16 2-in-1 Gen 10: Lenovo&#8217;s low-cost, 16-inch two-in-one is a versatile machine, but it forces you to live with more than a couple of compromises in the design.<\/p>\n<p>Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Pro 16 Aura Edition: Centered around a gorgeous 16-inch OLED display, this kick-ass Yoga laptop provides the performance and build that graphics pros demand.<\/p>\n<p>Alienware Aurora 16: I tested two Alienware Aurora gaming laptops, and this is not the one to get.<\/p>\n<p>Acer Nitro V 16S AI: This budget gaming laptop serves up a big screen and big value.<\/p>\n<p>MSI Katana 15 HX: I liked its 1080p performance but little else.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"238f4364-0abd-4884-b5e2-7a16fd364b05\" data-id=\"238f4364-0abd-4884-b5e2-7a16fd364b05\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">How we test gaming laptops<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>The review process for gaming laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers. This includes evaluating a device&#8217;s aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. A final review verdict is a combination of objective and subjective judgments.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/e24036fc0aeeb725ae2205f64f32400303b37564\/hub\/2022\/04\/13\/78858e68-956e-4ffe-9762-4ab165b15283\/pc-and-laptop-testing.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=768\" alt=\"pc and laptop testing in a lab setting\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>We test all laptops with a core set of benchmarks, including\u00a0Primate Labs Geekbench 6,\u00a0Cinebench 2024,\u00a0PCMark 10, a variety of\u00a03DMark\u00a0benchmarks (whichever can run on the laptop), UL Procyon Photo and Video (where supported), and our own battery life test. <\/p>\n<p>Gaming laptops and gaming PCs receive additional testing to measure their 3D gaming and graphics capability. If a laptop is intended for PC gaming, we&#8217;ll also run benchmarks from Shadow of the Tomb Raider, \u00a0Guardians of the Galaxy,\u00a0The Rift Breaker\u00a0(CPU and GPU), Assassin&#8217;s Creed Shadows and F1 24.<\/p>\n<p>For the hands-on, the reviewer uses it for their work during the review period, evaluating how well the design, features (such as the screen, camera and speakers) and manufacturer-supplied software operate as a cohesive whole. We also place importance on how well gaming laptops and gaming PCs work given their cost and where the manufacturer has potentially made upgrades or tradeoffs for its price. And for laptops meant for playing video games, a reviewer will play a range of newer games for further 3D graphics assessment.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/af4a4aeea7a747e83b4790474bd4d7610a42aca2\/hub\/2025\/04\/24\/c1d39dad-6b32-4359-a15f-19abe24d73d4\/dsc04788.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=768\" alt=\"photo-of-laptop-on-cart-next-to-router\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption><span class=\"c-shortcodeImage_credit g-inner-spacing-right-small g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-color-text-meta g-text-xxxsmall\">Adam Breeden\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The list of benchmarking software and comparison criteria we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. You can find a more detailed description of our test methodology on our page on\u00a0how we test computers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"e30b852e-885f-4ea3-8443-57ff4c803d7d\" data-id=\"e30b852e-885f-4ea3-8443-57ff4c803d7d\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>For gamers on a tight budget, the trick to finding the right gaming laptop is getting enough performance to play 3D games without sacrificing too much in other areas like the display and overall build quality while also avoiding older models on sale with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. Here&#8217;s our expert advice on what to consider to get the most gaming laptop for your money.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"da1d761b-b7da-4a48-9820-a169b1fd246f\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Price<\/h3>\n<p>The search for an affordable gaming laptop for most people starts with price. The good news is you can find a perfectly serviceable gaming laptop with modern components capable of playing today&#8217;s games for roughly $1,500. Sometimes less than that if you find a model on sale. Dell, HP, Lenovo and other manufacturers are constantly rotating discounts, so you can lock in a great deal if you time it right.<\/p>\n<p>If your budget allows you to spend more than $1,500, you&#8217;ll find models with more powerful components and brighter and faster displays along with other bonuses like per-key RGB lighting and thinner designs.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"36227612-c520-4853-955c-66e8b51d5158\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Operating system<\/h3>\n<p>MacBooks running Apple&#8217;s MacOS are popular for home, work and school use, but Microsoft Windows is the choice for gaming laptops, especially budget gaming laptops. You can run some games on higher-end MacBook Pros, but they are very expensive compared with cheap, Windows-based gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re on a tight budget, you could consider a Chromebook. ChromeOS is a different experience from Windows; it&#8217;s more streamlined and easier to use. It is limited in that basically everything runs through the Chrome browser, so it&#8217;s not possible to install Windows PC games directly on a Chromebook. However, there are some Chromebooks for gamers designed mainly to be used with cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"faf83cfb-72b1-42a6-8d0e-039b6fd8142f\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Screen<\/h3>\n<p>Most gaming laptops feature either a 15-inch or 16-inch screen, although you&#8217;ll see some smaller 14-inch models as well as a few 17- and even 18-inch behemoths. Newer 16-inch models with taller 16:10 aspect ratios are starting to replace 15.6-inch with a more traditional 16:9 widescreen ratio, and we generally favor the boxier 16-inch models. You&#8217;ll likely do most of your gaming at a 1,920&#215;1,080-pixel resolution, which has a 16:9 ratio, but the more vertical space afforded with a 16:10 display makes the laptop more useful outside of gaming when you are scrolling through web pages and long documents. In general, a larger the delivers a more immersive gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p>Another important display spec for gamers is the refresh rate or the number of times per second a display refreshes its image. Most gaming laptops, even cheap ones, have displays with variable refresh rates that can sync to the frames per second of a game to prevent artifacts like tearing (where it looks like parts of different screens are mixed together) and stutter (where the screen updates at perceptibly irregular intervals).<\/p>\n<p>All the major companies have bumped their flagship 1080p configurations to 360Hz, but for many gamers, they&#8217;re not essential: 240Hz maximum should be fine for those few times you can get frame rates above 240fps. On cheaper gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll generally see 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates, which should suffice if you have a lower-end GPU that won&#8217;t push frame rates past 165 fps.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you don&#8217;t plan on playing games at resolutions higher than 1080p, we suggest getting the highest resolution you can afford. Because on a larger 15 or 16-inch laptop display, text and the edges of images can look fuzzy on a 1080p or a 1,920&#215;1,200-pixel resolution on laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio. A Quad HD (QHD) resolution of 2,560\u00d71,440 pixels (2,560\u00d71,600 on a 16:10 display) will result in crisper text and images, and you can always choose to play games at a resolution lower than the maximum.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"edf390b8-7b2c-4a02-80a5-5186b50ff72b\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Processor<\/h3>\n<p>The processor, aka the CPU, is the brains of a laptop. Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for Windows laptops, with Qualcomm as a new third option with its Arm-based Snapdragon X processors. Both Intel and AMD offer a staggering selection of mobile processors. Making things trickier, both manufacturers have chips designed for different laptop styles, like power-saving chips for ultraportables or faster processors for gaming laptops. Their naming conventions will let you know what type is used. You can head to Intel&#8217;s or AMD&#8217;s sites for explanations so you get the performance you want. Generally speaking, the faster the processor speed and the more cores it has, the better the performance will be.<\/p>\n<p>Battery life has less to do with the number of cores and more to do with CPU architecture, Arm versus x86. Apple&#8217;s Arm-based MacBooks and the first Arm-based Copilot Plus PCs we&#8217;ve tested offer better battery life than laptops based on x86 processors from Intel and AMD.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"f6701457-b082-4ee5-aaf8-c20dbbaf48f6\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Graphics<\/h3>\n<p>The graphics processor handles all the work of driving the screen and generating what gets displayed, as well as speeding up a lot of graphics-related (and increasingly, AI-related) operations. For Windows laptops, there are two types of GPUs: integrated (iGPU) or discrete (dGPU). As the names imply, an iGPU is part of the CPU package, while a dGPU is a separate chip with dedicated memory (VRAM) that it communicates with directly, making it faster than sharing memory with the CPU. All gaming laptops will feature a dGPU from either Nvidia or AMD. Nvidia is the more popular of the two. For budget gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll see many models with the entry-level RTX 5050 GPU or step-up RTX 5060.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"e256e6e1-346a-4a00-a000-6602d9ee521d\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Memory<\/h3>\n<p>For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM, with 8GB being the absolute bare minimum. RAM is where the operating system stores all the data for currently running applications, and it can fill up fast. After that, it starts swapping between RAM and SSD, which is slower. Also, many laptops now have the memory soldered onto the motherboard. Most manufacturers disclose this, but if the RAM type is LPDDR, assume it&#8217;s soldered and can&#8217;t be upgraded.<\/p>\n<p>Some PC makers will solder memory on and leave an empty internal slot for adding a stick of RAM. You may need to contact the laptop manufacturer or find the laptop&#8217;s full specs online to confirm. Check the web for user experiences, because the slot may still be hard to get to, it may require nonstandard or hard-to-get memory or other pitfalls, including voiding the warranty.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"7df9fcac-dfc0-43bc-9a40-fcb283ecf84a\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Storage<\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;ll still find cheaper hard drives in budget laptops and larger hard drives in gaming laptops, but faster solid-state drives have all but replaced hard drives in laptops. They can make a big difference in performance. For a gaming laptop, we don&#8217;t recommend going with less than a 512GB SSD unless you really like uninstalling games every time you want to play a new game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList izeBorder\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">\n<h2 id=\"caa124e1-b3ff-4644-a753-c7342ab3d700\" data-id=\"caa124e1-b3ff-4644-a753-c7342ab3d700\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Budget gaming laptop FAQs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-6016c951-8204-43cf-abc7-2bf378b48b48\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">Are budget gaming laptops worth it?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>You can find a good cheap gaming laptop, but they certainly have performance limitations compared to more expensive laptops. The components necessary for an enjoyable PC gaming experience are expensive, which means even entry-level gaming laptops are still typically between $700 to $1,000. Also, because these models use lower-end components, the gaming performance they&#8217;ll have on today&#8217;s demanding AAA games might not hold up for future titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Cheap gaming laptops are worth considering if you typically play older games or games that aren&#8217;t graphically demanding or you&#8217;re OK playing at reduced graphics quality to maintain fast frame rates. They&#8217;re also a suitable option if you&#8217;re looking for a laptop for work or school, but with enough graphics power for casual gaming during your downtime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-bc25d9c3-fe59-4c9a-b30d-65df54241e93\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>For the best gaming experience with a budget gaming laptop, you want to make sure you get the most graphics power you can afford from the start since this can&#8217;t be upgraded later, unlike memory or storage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A cheap gaming laptop with a previous-generation, entry-level Nvidia RTX 4050 normally starts at around $900 to $1,000. That chip gives you enough graphics performance to play the newest demanding games at medium settings. Spending between $1,000 and $1,600 (or perhaps a little more) will get you a laptop with a newer RTX 5060 GPU for a better gaming experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-207946bb-854c-4bc2-b030-c5b629da9dcd\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What other components should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>With the CPU, memory and storage, your choices are a little more flexible for a budget gaming laptop, especially the latter two. Because many games such as first-person shooters rely more on the graphics chip than the CPU, you don&#8217;t necessarily need the fastest available. Going with a more midrange CPU like an Intel Core Ultra 5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is a safe bet.<\/p>\n<p>Also, gaming laptops, especially cheaper ones, let you easily expand or upgrade your memory and storage. If you&#8217;re going to skimp, this is the best place to do it with the expectation you&#8217;ll upgrade eventually and put your cash into the GPU and CPU instead.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the graphics chip, look for:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An Intel Core Ultra Series 1 or 2 processor, or AMD Ryzen 8000 or AI 300 series processor.<\/li>\n<li>At least 8GB of memory (aka RAM) and the capability to add more post-purchase.<\/li>\n<li>At least a 512GB solid-state drive or a combo of 256GB SSD storage and a larger hard drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-68e83990-6b90-4730-880f-704c60fbbcb7\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What laptop brands are the best for gaming?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>Acer makes some of our favorite budget laptops, including two of the best budget gaming laptops in its Predator and Nitro lines. Dell with its Alienware brand and HP with its Omen brand also make some great gaming laptops that we\u2019d recommend. Asus also sells a wide range of good gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-02f909c0-e67c-4ac8-ac16-cb7a730b5248\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">How much money should I expect to spend on a gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>For a true budget model with entry-level RTX graphics, you can expect to pay around $1,000 or more. When you move up in graphics power and display quality as well as CPU, RAM and storage options, a good price to target is $1,500. As you approach $2,000, you leave the budget gaming laptop category and enter mainstream gaming laptop territory.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If you are patient, you can usually find the model you want on sale. Laptop vendors and online retailers are constantly rotating sales, so it pays to keep an eye on pricing and buy during a dip. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-cc8b1eda-b0fc-44df-a6b2-a4f2676e74a6\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">Do budget gaming laptops have good displays?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>Most of your money is going toward components, so the other parts, like the display, keyboard and trackpad and build quality, are going to be OK, but not fantastic. We tend to favor a larger 16-inch display than a 14-inch panel because it provides a more immersive gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p>Display quality has improved on entry-level gaming laptops in the past couple of years, particularly when it comes to refresh rates. It&#8217;s now common to find 120Hz or 144Hz displays offered, which will make fast movement in your games look smoother and give you a more responsive experience. It&#8217;s not worth paying extra for unless the GPU is capable of faster frame rates for your games, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-8 lg:u-col-start-5\">\n<section class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter g-outer-spacing-top-large g-outer-spacing-bottom-xxlarge c-pageArticle_articleAuthorBioFooter\">\n<h2 class=\"g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">About the Author<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_body u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_primaryAuthor fullBleed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_imgContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/66ca2065387bc94b32209f07272b48d60baad1d4\/hub\/2020\/12\/16\/873e4197-9189-49b0-a5ed-4a29b914db8f\/matt-headshot-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=64&amp;width=64\" alt=\"Headshot of Matt Elliott\" height=\"64\" width=\"64\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"md:u-hidden lg:u-hidden\">\n<h3 class=\"u-text-capitalize\">Matt Elliott<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_credentials g-color-text-meta g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall\">Senior Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_bioContainer u-flexbox-column fullBleed\">\n<div class=\"sm:u-hidden\">\n<h3 class=\"u-text-capitalize\">Matt Elliott<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_credentials g-color-text-meta\">Senior Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<p class=\"c-bestListAuthorBioFooter_bio\"> Matt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services. Matt has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops. He has worked for CNET in New York and San Francisco and now lives in New Hampshire. When he&#8217;s not writing about laptops, Matt likes to play and watch sports. He loves to play tennis and hates the number of streaming services he has to subscribe to in order to watch the various sports he wants to watch. <\/p>\n<p>          Read full bio\n        <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div data-cy=\"articleLinkBlock\" class=\"c-articleLinkBlock\">\n<div class=\"c-articleLinkBlock_blockWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock\">\n<h2 class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_header\">\n    Computing Guides<br \/>\n  <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_itemContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_categoryContainer\"><span class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_category\"><br \/>\n      Laptops<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_listContainer\">\n<ul class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_list\">\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Laptop\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Chromebook\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Budget Laptop\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Cheap Gaming Laptop\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best 2-in-1 Laptop\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Windows Laptop\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Macbook\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Gaming Laptop\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Macbook Deals\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_itemContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_categoryContainer\"><span class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_category\"><br \/>\n      Desktops &amp; Monitors<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_listContainer\">\n<ul class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_list\">\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Desktop PC\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Gaming PC\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Monitor Under 200\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Desktop Deals\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Monitors\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          M2 Mac Mini Review\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_itemContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_categoryContainer\"><span class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_category\"><br \/>\n      Computer Accessories<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_listContainer\">\n<ul class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_list\">\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best PC Speakers\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Printer\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best External Hard Drive SSD\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best USB C Hub Docking Station\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Keyboard\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Webcams\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Mouse\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Laptop Backpack\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_itemContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_categoryContainer\"><span class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_category\"><br \/>\n      Photography<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_listContainer\">\n<ul class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_list\">\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Camera to Buy\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Vlogging Camera\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Tripod\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Waterproof Camera\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Action Camera\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Camera Bag and Backpack\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Drone\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_itemContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_categoryContainer\"><span class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_category\"><br \/>\n      Tablets &amp; E-Readers<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_listContainer\">\n<ul class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_list\">\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best E-Ink Tablets\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best iPad Deals\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best iPad\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best E-Reader\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Tablet\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Android Tablet\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlock_itemContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_categoryContainer\"><span class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_category\"><br \/>\n      3D Printers<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_listContainer\">\n<ul class=\"c-bestListLinkBlockItem_list\">\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best 3D Printer\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best Budget 3D Printer\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best 3D Printing Filament\n        <\/li>\n<li class=\"g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n          Best 3D Printer Deals\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-pageArticle_content sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12 c-pageArticle_content-izeBestList\">\n<div class=\"u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent_leftRail sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-4 lg:u-col-start-0 u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-11\">\n<div data-cy=\"bylineCard\" class=\"c-articleBylineCard c-articleBylineCard_bestList\">\n<h2 class=\"c-articleBylineCard_header c-articleBylineCard_izeBestList\">\n    Our Experts<br \/>\n  <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_authorContainer\">\n<div data-cy=\"bylineCard_images\" class=\"c-articleBylineCard_authorImages-noinfo\">\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_image g-container-round c-articleBylineCard_image-0\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/a9ba9adff40089fa2b41c5bdd9780b918a194636\/hub\/2020\/12\/16\/873e4197-9189-49b0-a5ed-4a29b914db8f\/matt-headshot-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=96&amp;width=96\" alt=\"Headshot of Matt Elliott\" height=\"96\" width=\"96\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_meta-noinfo single\">\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard__authorName-noinfo\">\n<address class=\"c-articleBylineCard_authorNameContainer\"><span class=\"c-articleBylineCard_writtenBy g-text-xsmall\">Written by\u00a0<\/span><span data-cy=\"bylineCard_link\" class=\"c-articleBylineCard_link c-articleBylineCard_link-0\"><br \/>\n              Matt Elliott<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/address>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-articleBylineCard_date-updated g-outer-spacing-top-small\">\n<div class=\"c-globalUpdatedDate\">\n  Article updated on\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-04-30T07:12:00-0800\">April 30, 2026 at 7:12 AM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"author-card-0\" class=\"col-5 c-globalAuthorCard\">\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_head\">\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_picture\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/54ecabc833869ceede9989d09abed897e8ec9ba2\/hub\/2020\/12\/16\/873e4197-9189-49b0-a5ed-4a29b914db8f\/matt-headshot-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=84&amp;width=84\" alt=\"Headshot of Matt Elliott\" height=\"84\" width=\"84\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_info\"><span class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_name\">Matt Elliott<\/span><span>Senior Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_bio\">Matt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services. Matt has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops. He has worked for CNET in New York and San Francisco and now lives in New Hampshire. When he&#8217;s not writing about laptops, Matt likes to play and watch sports. He loves to play tennis and hates the number of streaming services he has to subscribe to in order to watch the various sports he wants to watch.<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_details\"><span>Expertise<\/span><span class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_description\">Laptops | Desktops | All-in-one PCs | Streaming devices | Streaming platforms<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalAuthorCard_linkWrapper\">See full bio<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_metaContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_header sm:u-hidden\"><span class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_title g-text-small\"><br \/>\n        Why You Can Trust CNET<br \/>\n      <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_metrics\">\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_category\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_category\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_value g-inner-spacing-right-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_valueContainer\"><span>30+<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_topic\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_topic\">Years of Experience<\/span><\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_category\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_category\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_value g-inner-spacing-right-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_valueContainer\"><span>35<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_topic\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_topic\">Product Reviewers<\/span><\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_category\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_category\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_value g-inner-spacing-right-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_valueContainer\"><span>15k<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_topic\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_topic\">Sq. Feet of Lab Space<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_disclosureContainer\">\n<p data-cy=\"bestListDisclosure_message\" class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_message g-text-xxsmall\">CNET staff &#8212; not advertisers, partners or business interests &#8212; determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDisclosure_disclosureLinks u-flexbox-row\">\n        Reviews ethics statement<\/p>\n<p>        How we test\n        <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq g-container-rounded-small c-shortcodeFaq-leftRail u-hidden\">\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_header\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq_header\">\n<p id=\"62d7515d-940f-4415-8349-fd0323e30f88\" data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_title\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq_title\">\n      What to consider\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_sections\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaq_sections\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Price\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>Budget gaming laptops start at well below $1,000, but the cheapest models have older Nvidia GeForce GTX GPUs that limit your 3D gaming capabilities. The sweet spot is between $1,000 and $1,200 for a model with at least RTX 5050 or 5060 graphics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Operating system\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>MacBooks running Apple&#8217;s MacOS are popular for home, work and school use, but Microsoft Windows is the choice for gaming laptops, especially budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Screen\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>Most gaming laptops feature large displays between 15 and 18 inches with budget models usually offering a 15.6-inch or 16-inch screen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Processor\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for gaming laptops with Qualcomm emerging as a third option with its Arm-based Snapdragon X chips. You&#8217;ll still want to pay attention to the number of cores \u2014 the more, the better \u2014 to gauge potential performance as well as Intel x86 vs Arm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Graphics\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>All gaming laptops will feature a dedicated GPU from either Nvidia or AMD. Nvidia is the more popular of the two. For budget gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll see many models with the entry-level RTX 5050 GPU or step-up RTX 5060 GPU as well as older models with previous-generation RTX 4050 or 4060 GPUs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Memory\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM, with 8GB being the absolute bare minimum.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion c-shortcodeFaq_question g-border-thin-light-top c-shortcodeFaqQuestion-leftRail\">\n<div role=\"button\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_header\">\n<p data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_questionCollapse\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_question g-text-bold\">\n      Storage\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"shortcodeFaq_answer\" class=\"c-shortcodeFaqQuestion_answer\">\n<p>For a gaming laptop, we don&#8217;t recommend going with less than a 512GB SSD unless you really like uninstalling games every time you want to play a new game.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_toolbar u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_productsList\">\n<p class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_versus\">vs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_compareCta\"><span>Compare<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_table u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListProductCompare_tableHead\"><span>Back to selection<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-8 lg:u-col-start-5\">\n<p data-keep class=\"u-speakableText-p1\">It\u2019s a tough time to be shopping for a laptop, particularly any type of gaming laptop. Between the <span><span>global RAM shortage<\/span><\/span> driving up the price of computer memory, the <span><span>AI boom<\/span><\/span> putting GPUs in short supply and <span><span>tariffs<\/span><\/span> generally making things more expensive, laptop prices have been on the rise. A year ago, you could find a budget gaming laptop with either an RTX 5050 or 5060 GPU between $1,000 and $1,500. With few exceptions, such a laptop now costs hundreds more. Here are the best budget gaming laptops, including an MSI model with an integrated GPU that provides decent 3D performance (and great battery life) for less than $1,500.<\/p>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"listiclePrecap\" data-location=\"PRECAP\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-hide c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-compact g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-hed\">\n<section>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_header\"> Our Picks <\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"1\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/d3e3a74e73db7587031df288b0c64ce26eb8127d\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop on a gray couch\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign isFirst\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best budget gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,669 at Newegg<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.8\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is overkill for most budget gaming laptop shoppers, both in terms of price and features. But if you view it as two laptops in one \u2014 a competent gaming laptop with a reasonably large 15.1-inch display and a general-use laptop that&#8217;s thin and light enough to carry around more than occasionally \u2014 then its price north of $1,500 begins to look like a great value.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>2.5K OLED display is crisp, bright and fast<\/li>\n<li>Snappy keyboard feels fast for games<\/li>\n<li>Thin and light for its size<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Short battery life<\/li>\n<li>No biometrics for easy, secure logins<\/li>\n<li>Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports<\/li>\n<li>Always-on power button LED is annoying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"2\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/36ecb0b198ed6b0d42d5db1989520c1da3cf7137\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/95f537f0-fa02-4104-a19a-063d7678d996\/alienware-16x-aurora-overview-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora laptop sitting on a coffee table next to a vase of flowers\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Alienware Aurora 16X<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,800 at Dell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.3\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Alienware 16X Aurora might not be what you picture when you think of an Alienware gaming laptop, but what it lacks in aggressively styling it more than makes up for with its focus on the display and performance. And its price is certainly less than what you&#8217;ve come to expect from an Alienware machine. It&#8217;s simply hard to find this good a display and this level of performance for the price, although I do wish Dell outfitted it with a keyboard better suited for gaming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Big, bright and fast display<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<li>User replaceable RAM<\/li>\n<li>Crisp, 1080p Windows Hello webcam<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Keyboard isn&#8217;t best for gaming<\/li>\n<li>Audio output underwhelms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"3\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/2a22d97269804e33a6e756879fd8850cd71359d8\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/db75170e-e0c7-4522-b9f2-47661e5113db\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Panther Lake laptop at an angle on colorful desk mat\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,300 at MSI<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.0\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Prestige 14 Flip AI has a Core Ultra Series 3 processor from Intel\u2019s new Panther Lake series and offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Playable frame rates from integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics<\/li>\n<li>Around-the-clock battery life<\/li>\n<li>Thin and light and quiet<\/li>\n<li>MSI&#8217;s new Prestige design is a huge improvement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Display is only 60Hz<\/li>\n<li>Bottom panel gets hot during games<\/li>\n<li>Diving-board effect with mechanical touchpad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"4\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3fba5e2c6c1c364dfe55c92ff8327a74f4bf8317\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/f2c739de-0bc2-45aa-aef9-575a1569a07a\/lenovo-loq-15-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop on a table next to a house plant\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Lenovo LOQ 15<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,250 at Walmart<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">7.5\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Lenovo LOQ 15 is an old-school 15.6-inch gaming laptop powered by present-day AMD and Nvidia silicon. Most gaming laptops have transitioned from 15.6-inch, 16:9 displays to taller, more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. But the LOQ 15 is helping to keep the widescreen tradition alive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Good 3D performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Roomy, comfortable keyboard<\/li>\n<li>Room to expand RAM and SSD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>15.6-inch, 16:9 display looks outdated and limits overall use<\/li>\n<li>Drab design and no RGB lighting<\/li>\n<li>No biometrics for easy, secure logins<\/li>\n<li>Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"5\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/86ae857db3381160806d9dda30d4ccd1e4c7c437\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/42321740-f791-40c7-95b9-c5736777c297\/hp-omen-16-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"HP Omen 16 gaming laptop on a marble coffee table in front of a gray sofa\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Budget gaming laptop with best design<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">HP Omen 16<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$2,100 at HP<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">7.8\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The display is merely average, and the design is an all-plastic affair, but the HP Omen 16&#8217;s duo of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics delivers competitive 1080p frame rates for the price. And while the plastic shell is disappointing, it&#8217;s fairly rigid and coated with a soft-touch finish that lends it a look and feel better than true budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Competitive 1080p performance<\/li>\n<li>Good-looking design<\/li>\n<li>Long battery life<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<li>User replaceable RAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Pricey when not on sale<\/li>\n<li>All-plastic design<\/li>\n<li>Underwhelming audio output<\/li>\n<li>No speedy Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals u-flexbox u-flexbox-column u-flexbox-alignCenter g-inner-spacing-top-xlarge g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListDeals_hed u-text-capitalize u-text-center\">LAPTOP DEALS OF THE WEEK<\/h3>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_productsBlock g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Save Up to $700 on Dell PCs and Accessories<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Dell 16 DC16255 Ryzen 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 16-inch 2K Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$600<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $600)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 Intel 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 16-inch Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$759<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $510)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Intel Ultra 5 256GB SSD 8GB RAM 14-inch Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$549<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $250)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Dell 14 Premium Intel Ultra 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 14-inch 2K Laptop (Platinum)<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$1,000<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $550)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"u-text-italic u-text-center g-text-xxsmall g-outer-spacing-top-large c-bestListDeals_disclosure\">Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"c-globalToc\">\n<div class=\"c-globalToc_header\">\n<div class=\"c-globalToc_title\"><span class=\"c-globalToc_titleText\">Table of Contents<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-globalToc_dropdown g-dropShadow-hover\">\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best Cheap Gaming Laptop of 2026: My Top Budget Picks\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        What&#8217;s the best budget gaming laptop overall?\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best budget gaming laptops of 2026\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best budget gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Budget gaming laptop with best design\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best cheap gaming laptops compared\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Other laptops we&#8217;ve tested\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        How we test gaming laptops\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Budget gaming laptop FAQs\n      <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"531f1a24-a626-4f40-a600-0ef3efa750ab\" data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep data-id=\"531f1a24-a626-4f40-a600-0ef3efa750ab\">What&#8217;s the best budget gaming laptop overall?<\/h2>\n<p data-keep class=\"u-speakableText-p2\">My favorite is the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 for its ability to pull double duty as a gaming laptop and content creation machine with its high-resolution, color-accurate OLED display. I also like the Alienware 16X Aurora for its 16-inch, 2.5K display that&#8217;s both bright and fast and powered by a full-wattage RTX 5060. <\/p>\n<p data-keep>The HP Omen 16 offers strong RTX 5060 performance and comes wrapped in a good-looking chassis that features a unique and useful take on four-zone RGB keyboard backlighting. But you will want to wait for one of HP&#8217;s revolving discounts to land on it before buying. A cheaper option is the Lenovo LOQ 15, which is based on an outdated 15.6-inch display but serves up modern components for a great price.<\/p>\n<p data-keep>And if you want a do-it-all laptop that offers some semblance of gaming ability rather than a dedicated gaming laptop, you should check out the <span><span>MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/span><\/span>. It&#8217;s based on an Intel Panther Lake CPU with integrated Arc B390 graphics that actually provide playable frame rates at 1080p. And because the laptop doesn&#8217;t need to power a discrete GPU, it&#8217;s thin and light and long-running.<\/p>\n<p data-keep><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep>\n<li><span><span>How to Buy a Gaming Laptop<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><span>Best Gaming Monitors<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Desktop Computer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-keep>My recommendations are based on my own testing. I&#8217;ll update this list of the best budget gaming laptops as I review new products. Also, if you need help deciphering what specs to look for on a good, cheap gaming laptop for playing video games, I have some advice below.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"b41f6e65-b591-44f3-b3ef-14c92ecfc515\" data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep data-id=\"b41f6e65-b591-44f3-b3ef-14c92ecfc515\"> Best budget gaming laptops of 2026<\/h2>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-id=\"listicle-44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-techprodid=\"6d0f2135-5b6c-4444-9261-19b5afdac1ff\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop on a gray couch\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 has 24-zone RGB keyboard backlighting\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"The left side of the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 features a pair of USB-C ports\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 laptop has an aluminum top cover to protect the display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/ca22796feb63bca4b36a6ee600a6eb272ae04d82\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/992df4eaa9d6f81a2310abb533e9b898477a7e88\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/b1d03354-be7e-4438-a1a9-f7ddce53a475\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3dc5bf7146b987fa86332a163570a4c6ba2e36c5\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/151c4772-6e9a-4bce-b6cf-8f9602a167ea\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-ports.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/357a20279dadc4a2da0ec37a410bffbca99a373a\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/70678378-ea3f-4fb9-8fb6-90f4f9682f15\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-lid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best budget gaming laptop<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.8<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  2.5K OLED display is crisp, bright and fast\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Snappy keyboard feels fast for games\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Thin and light for its size\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Short battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No biometrics for easy, secure logins\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Always-on power button LED is annoying\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is overkill for most budget gaming laptop shoppers, both in terms of price and features. But if you view it as two laptops in one \u2014 a competent gaming laptop with a reasonably large 15.1-inch display and a general-use laptop that&#8217;s thin and light enough to carry around more than occasionally \u2014 then its price north of $1,500 begins to look like a great value.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It provides great performance for the price, and the 2.5K OLED display is outstanding. The Legion 5i Gen 10&#8217;s OLED wins the Triple Crown for displays: a high resolution for crisp text and images, a speedy refresh rate for smooth movement and a high peak brightness that allows colors to pop. It&#8217;s one of the best laptop displays I&#8217;ve ever seen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a great pick for gamers, but it&#8217;s more than just a gaming laptop. Creators engaged in color-accurate work will love the bright, high-res OLED display and the laptop&#8217;s portability relative to other gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t buy it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you need a portable laptop with good battery life, then most gaming laptops, including this one, are the wrong choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,669 at Newegg\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life\/runtime<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5 hr, 25 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 4.3 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 15.1-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 165Hz OLED<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core i7-14700HX<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        5<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-id=\"listicle-edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora laptop sitting on a coffee table next to a vase of flowers\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora single-zone RGB backlighting on keyboard\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora has a 16-inch 2.5K IPS display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop has aluminum lid\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/40aada3b902edf4fa212168054960da15ab759f2\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/95f537f0-fa02-4104-a19a-063d7678d996\/alienware-16x-aurora-overview-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/835094d505ae1ff8acb21c578cd87205ec1c6796\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/fc22e4d4-cd35-411a-9774-62a23a555974\/alienware-16x-aurora-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f0034915f5bed8c67391c4814f28948c62f5208c\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/fcea3ba5-25cf-4b8a-ac63-a43f9885578a\/alienware-16x-aurora-display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/ed6751164d89e17960d218fd1412bfb77bb81621\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/93a16f9d-8495-4cef-8fa1-2f0d881a687b\/alienware-16x-aurora-lid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Alienware Aurora 16X<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.3<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Strong performance for the price\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Big, bright and fast display\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  User replaceable RAM\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Crisp, 1080p Windows Hello webcam\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Keyboard isn&#8217;t best for gaming\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Audio output underwhelms\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Alienware 16X Aurora might not be what you picture when you think of an Alienware gaming laptop, but what it lacks in aggressively styling it more than makes up for with its focus on the display and performance. And its price is certainly less than what you&#8217;ve come to expect from an Alienware machine. It&#8217;s simply hard to find this good a display and this level of performance for the price, although I do wish Dell outfitted it with a keyboard better suited for gaming.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When sitting side by side, Dell&#8217;s two midrange gaming laptops, the Alienware 16 Aurora and 16X Aurora, are nearly indistinguishable. Each features a roomy, 16-inch, 2.5K IPS display wrapped in a buttoned-up navy enclosure. Aside from their ample size, they don&#8217;t scream &#8220;gaming laptop!&#8221; They look and are priced more like the spiritual successors to Dell&#8217;s shuttered G series than a step down from Dell&#8217;s flagship Alienware 16 Area-51. But in the case of the Alienware 16X Aurora, you&#8217;ll find plenty of gaming-centric features hidden beneath its ordinary exterior.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers with a budget of roughly $1,500 looking for a modern config with an Intel Arrow Lake CPU and Nvidia RTX 50 series GPU powering a big, bright and fast display.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you want an OLED gaming laptop for about the same price, then you should take a look at the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,800 at Dell\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 7 hr, 36 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.49 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 16-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 240Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        5<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Alienware Aurora 16X review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-id=\"listicle-8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Panther Lake laptop at an angle on colorful desk mat\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Intel Panther Lake stickers on front corner\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus new MSI logo on the lid\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus laptop in profile\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/1a9b52e4d716e89df4a84dd7eed9f3056bfc78bc\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/db75170e-e0c7-4522-b9f2-47661e5113db\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/51df0a7733e12e82ee08e2cf5b1965c0ce0ce2cc\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/cefb300d-9b15-4220-b66d-84bacd8174ac\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-intel-sticker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f62a93ca382a16136b3f053ef6005b1f61a2eaa4\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/2211c6ff-bb00-45ee-a3b2-596c725c9992\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-new-logo.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/d961b4a854c4db3a17e59453b092a70ceda195cf\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/de19c580-11d9-417e-9097-820f73eba3dd\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-profile.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.0<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Playable frame rates from integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Around-the-clock battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Thin and light and quiet\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  MSI&#8217;s new Prestige design is a huge improvement\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Display is only 60Hz\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Bottom panel gets hot during games\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Diving-board effect with mechanical touchpad\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Prestige 14 Flip AI has a Core Ultra Series 3 processor from Intel\u2019s new Panther Lake series and offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the first laptop with integrated graphics I\u2019ve tested that delivers playable 3D frame rates in AAA titles. So, without needing a dedicated GPU, the Prestige 14 Flip AI is compact, portable and quiet during operation. These are not things that usually describe a laptop capable of playing games. And it offers incredible battery life &#8212; calling it \u201call-day\u201d battery life undersells it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who wants a do-it-all laptop with enough power for gamers and creators inside a compact, lightweight design with luxuriously long battery life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t buy it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re shopping for a true gaming laptop, then you\u2019ll still want a model with dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics that supplies higher frame rates. You\u2019ll also want a display that\u2019s faster than the 60Hz panel found here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,300 at MSI\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 25 hr, 18 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 3.02 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 14-inch 1920&#215;1200 60Hz touch OLED<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core Ultra X7 358H<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Arc B390<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Memory tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 32GB<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-id=\"listicle-2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-techprodid=\"35edacf4-4fca-46e0-b0e5-47d5a7b8ee18\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop on a table next to a house plant\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 keyboard and touchpad\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 laptop with AMD and Nvidia stickers on the front corner\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 turned to show dull gray top cover\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/34dac9a6e8c31d2a32cae86de33a122e7497a889\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/f2c739de-0bc2-45aa-aef9-575a1569a07a\/lenovo-loq-15-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/86ba0179d7786dbcf8e7d9ee9836fa7d5331099a\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/de95260e-7bbf-4dbd-a70c-1c94353fae66\/lenovo-loq-15-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/b699a0ed3d562cc9e87ad8fa491ee21a98ee4b46\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/2de3b291-7ef6-4292-bef8-2f1ebb90c15e\/lenovo-loq-15-amd-nvidia-stickers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3bcaac4bba095d48f23b2769d1df9fa6a84e498d\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/ac03b0e0-83f5-4b64-ae19-42e474406e4a\/lenovo-loq-15-top-cover.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Lenovo LOQ 15<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    7.5<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Good 3D performance for the price\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Roomy, comfortable keyboard\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Room to expand RAM and SSD\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  15.6-inch, 16:9 display looks outdated and limits overall use\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Drab design and no RGB lighting\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No biometrics for easy, secure logins\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Lenovo LOQ 15 is an old-school 15.6-inch gaming laptop powered by present-day AMD and Nvidia silicon. Most gaming laptops have transitioned from 15.6-inch, 16:9 displays to taller, more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. But the LOQ 15 is helping to keep the widescreen tradition alive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The LOQ 15 serves up great performance for the price. I like getting an RTX 5060 GPU at a price where most gaming laptops offer entry-level RTX 5050 graphics. I also like roomy and comfortable keyboard and the ability to add more RAM and storage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers looking for a laptop for gaming and little else. The LOQ 15 isn\u2019t the best choice as your daily driver. It makes more sense as a secondary laptop specifically for gaming. Its 15.6-inch, 16:9 display can feel cramped for general use compared to roomier and taller 16-inch, 16:10 displays, but its resolution and aspect ratio are perfectly suited for 1080p gaming. And you&#8217;ll get more than playable frame rates at 1080p from its RTX 5060 GPU.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who wants a more modern 16-inch, 16:10 display in their next gaming laptop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,250 at Walmart\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 7 hr, 48 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.36 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 15.6-inch 1920&#215;1080 IPS 144Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> AMD Ryzen 7 250<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Lenovo LOQ 15 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-id=\"listicle-d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 gaming laptop on a marble coffee table in front of a gray sofa\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 RGB keyboard backlighting\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Front corner of the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/c22ffe1030858bef20b392ede560dcf5c4e40535\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/42321740-f791-40c7-95b9-c5736777c297\/hp-omen-16-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/6d46e351b6c5dfadb441ce4baf03dde52ee94b0b\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/a5135f52-1ecf-42ff-b715-dfe4a398646a\/hp-omen-16-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/21d2515463bbbdb4f275070d69a336cbf69954d7\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/341f174a-94ec-4aff-82a8-fefbdb522f95\/hp-omen-16-corner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/9587da1abad927f519d298ae933ae50cf6432215\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/d346e889-d8c3-4dbf-ae11-3d3cd8db10d7\/hp-omen-16-display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Budget gaming laptop with best design<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    HP Omen 16<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    7.8<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Competitive 1080p performance\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Good-looking design\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Long battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  User replaceable RAM\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Pricey when not on sale\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  All-plastic design\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Underwhelming audio output\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No speedy Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The display is merely average, and the design is an all-plastic affair, but the HP Omen 16&#8217;s duo of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics delivers competitive 1080p frame rates for the price. And while the plastic shell is disappointing, it&#8217;s fairly rigid and coated with a soft-touch finish that lends it a look and feel better than true budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It supplies good 3D performance for the price, especially when that price is massively discounted, which it often is. I wouldn\u2019t pay the full price of $2,100 for the Omen 16, but thankfully you don\u2019t have to. HP frequently discounts it where you can find it for closer to $1,500. At that price, the Omen 16 is a great value. I also liked its RGB keyboard backlighting that highlights the WASD keys and internal expansion it provides for adding more RAM and storage. Its battery life is also surprisingly lengthy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers whose budgets don\u2019t stretch much beyond $1,000 will like the Omen 16\u2019s well-rounded package and good 1080p performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who comes across it when it&#8217;s not on sale shouldn&#8217;t pay the full $1,800 for the Omen 16 I tested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$2,100 at HP\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 13 hr, 52 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.3 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 16-inch, 1,920&#215;1,200, 165Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> \tAMD Ryzen AI 7 350<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        HP Omen 16 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeChart\">\n<h2 id=\"59160c10-db04-42f8-88af-c4a6028d7923\" data-id=\"59160c10-db04-42f8-88af-c4a6028d7923\" class=\"g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-text-xlarge\">Best cheap gaming laptops compared<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>See the pricing and specs for our recommended budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chartWrapper\">\n<table aria-label=\"Best cheap gaming laptops compared\" class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Price as tested<\/th>\n<th>Display size\/resolution<\/th>\n<th>Weight<\/th>\n<th>CPU tested<\/th>\n<th>GPU tested<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<\/th>\n<td>$1,669<\/td>\n<td>15.1-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 165Hz OLED<\/td>\n<td>4.3 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core i7-14700HX<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Alienware 16X Aurora<\/th>\n<td>$1,800<\/td>\n<td>16-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 240Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.5 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/th>\n<td>$1,300<\/td>\n<td>14-inch 1,920&#215;1,200 OLED<\/td>\n<td>3.02 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core Ultra X7 358H<\/td>\n<td>Intel Arc B390<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Lenovo LOQ 15<\/th>\n<td>$1,250<\/td>\n<td>15.6-inch 1920&#215;1080 144Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.4 pounds<\/td>\n<td>AMD Ryzen 7 250<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">HP Omen 16<\/th>\n<td>$2,100<\/td>\n<td>16-inch 1,920&#215;1,200 165Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.3 pounds<\/td>\n<td>AMD Ryzen AI 7 350<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"7c1d9881-a912-4ad2-9818-5db34d87379e\" data-id=\"7c1d9881-a912-4ad2-9818-5db34d87379e\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Other laptops we&#8217;ve tested<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>Dell XPS 16: It costs as much as Nvidia RTX models but lacks RTX graphics. Still, the XPS 16 is a strong overall performer with a thin-and-light design.<\/p>\n<p>Acer Swift Edge 14 AI: It\u2019s a sleek and solid OLED laptop but forces some compromises.<\/p>\n<p>Asus Zenbook A16: It\u2019s a true AI laptop among artificial imitators and also impossibly thin and light for its size.<\/p>\n<p>Alienware 18 Area-51: It&#8217;s a dazzling and heavy-duty (emphasis on &#8220;heavy&#8221;) showcase of laptop technology for deep-pocketed gamers.<\/p>\n<p>M5 MacBook Air Review (13-inch, 2026): Go big or go Neo.<\/p>\n<p>MacBook Neo Review: It\u2019s an absolute banger of a budget laptop, but life&#8217;s too short to live without Touch ID.<\/p>\n<p>Dell XPS 14: It&#8217;s great to see Dell bring back the XPS and do so with such style.<\/p>\n<p>GeekBook X14 Pro: Geekom\u2019s first laptop is impressively thin and light but battery life disappoints. And I detest the touch pad.<\/p>\n<p>Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 16 2-in-1 Gen 10: Lenovo&#8217;s low-cost, 16-inch two-in-one is a versatile machine, but it forces you to live with more than a couple of compromises in the design.<\/p>\n<p>Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Pro 16 Aura Edition: Centered around a gorgeous 16-inch OLED display, this kick-ass Yoga laptop provides the performance and build that graphics pros demand.<\/p>\n<p>Alienware Aurora 16: I tested two Alienware Aurora gaming laptops, and this is not the one to get.<\/p>\n<p>Acer Nitro V 16S AI: This budget gaming laptop serves up a big screen and big value.<\/p>\n<p>MSI Katana 15 HX: I liked its 1080p performance but little else.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"238f4364-0abd-4884-b5e2-7a16fd364b05\" data-id=\"238f4364-0abd-4884-b5e2-7a16fd364b05\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">How we test gaming laptops<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>The review process for gaming laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers. This includes evaluating a device&#8217;s aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. A final review verdict is a combination of objective and subjective judgments.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/e24036fc0aeeb725ae2205f64f32400303b37564\/hub\/2022\/04\/13\/78858e68-956e-4ffe-9762-4ab165b15283\/pc-and-laptop-testing.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=768\" alt=\"pc and laptop testing in a lab setting\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>We test all laptops with a core set of benchmarks, including\u00a0Primate Labs Geekbench 6,\u00a0Cinebench 2024,\u00a0PCMark 10, a variety of\u00a03DMark\u00a0benchmarks (whichever can run on the laptop), UL Procyon Photo and Video (where supported), and our own battery life test. <\/p>\n<p>Gaming laptops and gaming PCs receive additional testing to measure their 3D gaming and graphics capability. If a laptop is intended for PC gaming, we&#8217;ll also run benchmarks from Shadow of the Tomb Raider, \u00a0Guardians of the Galaxy,\u00a0The Rift Breaker\u00a0(CPU and GPU), Assassin&#8217;s Creed Shadows and F1 24.<\/p>\n<p>For the hands-on, the reviewer uses it for their work during the review period, evaluating how well the design, features (such as the screen, camera and speakers) and manufacturer-supplied software operate as a cohesive whole. We also place importance on how well gaming laptops and gaming PCs work given their cost and where the manufacturer has potentially made upgrades or tradeoffs for its price. And for laptops meant for playing video games, a reviewer will play a range of newer games for further 3D graphics assessment.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/af4a4aeea7a747e83b4790474bd4d7610a42aca2\/hub\/2025\/04\/24\/c1d39dad-6b32-4359-a15f-19abe24d73d4\/dsc04788.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=768\" alt=\"photo-of-laptop-on-cart-next-to-router\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption><span class=\"c-shortcodeImage_credit g-inner-spacing-right-small g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-color-text-meta g-text-xxxsmall\">Adam Breeden\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The list of benchmarking software and comparison criteria we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. You can find a more detailed description of our test methodology on our page on\u00a0how we test computers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"e30b852e-885f-4ea3-8443-57ff4c803d7d\" data-id=\"e30b852e-885f-4ea3-8443-57ff4c803d7d\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>For gamers on a tight budget, the trick to finding the right gaming laptop is getting enough performance to play 3D games without sacrificing too much in other areas like the display and overall build quality while also avoiding older models on sale with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. Here&#8217;s our expert advice on what to consider to get the most gaming laptop for your money.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"da1d761b-b7da-4a48-9820-a169b1fd246f\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Price<\/h3>\n<p>The search for an affordable gaming laptop for most people starts with price. The good news is you can find a perfectly serviceable gaming laptop with modern components capable of playing today&#8217;s games for roughly $1,500. Sometimes less than that if you find a model on sale. Dell, HP, Lenovo and other manufacturers are constantly rotating discounts, so you can lock in a great deal if you time it right.<\/p>\n<p>If your budget allows you to spend more than $1,500, you&#8217;ll find models with more powerful components and brighter and faster displays along with other bonuses like per-key RGB lighting and thinner designs.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"36227612-c520-4853-955c-66e8b51d5158\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Operating system<\/h3>\n<p>MacBooks running Apple&#8217;s MacOS are popular for home, work and school use, but Microsoft Windows is the choice for gaming laptops, especially budget gaming laptops. You can run some games on higher-end MacBook Pros, but they are very expensive compared with cheap, Windows-based gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re on a tight budget, you could consider a Chromebook. ChromeOS is a different experience from Windows; it&#8217;s more streamlined and easier to use. It is limited in that basically everything runs through the Chrome browser, so it&#8217;s not possible to install Windows PC games directly on a Chromebook. However, there are some Chromebooks for gamers designed mainly to be used with cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"faf83cfb-72b1-42a6-8d0e-039b6fd8142f\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Screen<\/h3>\n<p>Most gaming laptops feature either a 15-inch or 16-inch screen, although you&#8217;ll see some smaller 14-inch models as well as a few 17- and even 18-inch behemoths. Newer 16-inch models with taller 16:10 aspect ratios are starting to replace 15.6-inch with a more traditional 16:9 widescreen ratio, and we generally favor the boxier 16-inch models. You&#8217;ll likely do most of your gaming at a 1,920&#215;1,080-pixel resolution, which has a 16:9 ratio, but the more vertical space afforded with a 16:10 display makes the laptop more useful outside of gaming when you are scrolling through web pages and long documents. In general, a larger the delivers a more immersive gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p>Another important display spec for gamers is the refresh rate or the number of times per second a display refreshes its image. Most gaming laptops, even cheap ones, have displays with variable refresh rates that can sync to the frames per second of a game to prevent artifacts like tearing (where it looks like parts of different screens are mixed together) and stutter (where the screen updates at perceptibly irregular intervals).<\/p>\n<p>All the major companies have bumped their flagship 1080p configurations to 360Hz, but for many gamers, they&#8217;re not essential: 240Hz maximum should be fine for those few times you can get frame rates above 240fps. On cheaper gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll generally see 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates, which should suffice if you have a lower-end GPU that won&#8217;t push frame rates past 165 fps.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you don&#8217;t plan on playing games at resolutions higher than 1080p, we suggest getting the highest resolution you can afford. Because on a larger 15 or 16-inch laptop display, text and the edges of images can look fuzzy on a 1080p or a 1,920&#215;1,200-pixel resolution on laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio. A Quad HD (QHD) resolution of 2,560\u00d71,440 pixels (2,560\u00d71,600 on a 16:10 display) will result in crisper text and images, and you can always choose to play games at a resolution lower than the maximum.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"edf390b8-7b2c-4a02-80a5-5186b50ff72b\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Processor<\/h3>\n<p>The processor, aka the CPU, is the brains of a laptop. Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for Windows laptops, with Qualcomm as a new third option with its Arm-based Snapdragon X processors. Both Intel and AMD offer a staggering selection of mobile processors. Making things trickier, both manufacturers have chips designed for different laptop styles, like power-saving chips for ultraportables or faster processors for gaming laptops. Their naming conventions will let you know what type is used. You can head to Intel&#8217;s or AMD&#8217;s sites for explanations so you get the performance you want. Generally speaking, the faster the processor speed and the more cores it has, the better the performance will be.<\/p>\n<p>Battery life has less to do with the number of cores and more to do with CPU architecture, Arm versus x86. Apple&#8217;s Arm-based MacBooks and the first Arm-based Copilot Plus PCs we&#8217;ve tested offer better battery life than laptops based on x86 processors from Intel and AMD.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"f6701457-b082-4ee5-aaf8-c20dbbaf48f6\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Graphics<\/h3>\n<p>The graphics processor handles all the work of driving the screen and generating what gets displayed, as well as speeding up a lot of graphics-related (and increasingly, AI-related) operations. For Windows laptops, there are two types of GPUs: integrated (iGPU) or discrete (dGPU). As the names imply, an iGPU is part of the CPU package, while a dGPU is a separate chip with dedicated memory (VRAM) that it communicates with directly, making it faster than sharing memory with the CPU. All gaming laptops will feature a dGPU from either Nvidia or AMD. Nvidia is the more popular of the two. For budget gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll see many models with the entry-level RTX 5050 GPU or step-up RTX 5060.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"e256e6e1-346a-4a00-a000-6602d9ee521d\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Memory<\/h3>\n<p>For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM, with 8GB being the absolute bare minimum. RAM is where the operating system stores all the data for currently running applications, and it can fill up fast. After that, it starts swapping between RAM and SSD, which is slower. Also, many laptops now have the memory soldered onto the motherboard. Most manufacturers disclose this, but if the RAM type is LPDDR, assume it&#8217;s soldered and can&#8217;t be upgraded.<\/p>\n<p>Some PC makers will solder memory on and leave an empty internal slot for adding a stick of RAM. You may need to contact the laptop manufacturer or find the laptop&#8217;s full specs online to confirm. Check the web for user experiences, because the slot may still be hard to get to, it may require nonstandard or hard-to-get memory or other pitfalls, including voiding the warranty.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"7df9fcac-dfc0-43bc-9a40-fcb283ecf84a\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Storage<\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;ll still find cheaper hard drives in budget laptops and larger hard drives in gaming laptops, but faster solid-state drives have all but replaced hard drives in laptops. They can make a big difference in performance. For a gaming laptop, we don&#8217;t recommend going with less than a 512GB SSD unless you really like uninstalling games every time you want to play a new game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList izeBorder\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">\n<h2 id=\"caa124e1-b3ff-4644-a753-c7342ab3d700\" data-id=\"caa124e1-b3ff-4644-a753-c7342ab3d700\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Budget gaming laptop FAQs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-6016c951-8204-43cf-abc7-2bf378b48b48\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">Are budget gaming laptops worth it?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>You can find a good cheap gaming laptop, but they certainly have performance limitations compared to more expensive laptops. The components necessary for an enjoyable PC gaming experience are expensive, which means even entry-level gaming laptops are still typically between $700 to $1,000. Also, because these models use lower-end components, the gaming performance they&#8217;ll have on today&#8217;s demanding AAA games might not hold up for future titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Cheap gaming laptops are worth considering if you typically play older games or games that aren&#8217;t graphically demanding or you&#8217;re OK playing at reduced graphics quality to maintain fast frame rates. They&#8217;re also a suitable option if you&#8217;re looking for a laptop for work or school, but with enough graphics power for casual gaming during your downtime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-bc25d9c3-fe59-4c9a-b30d-65df54241e93\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>For the best gaming experience with a budget gaming laptop, you want to make sure you get the most graphics power you can afford from the start since this can&#8217;t be upgraded later, unlike memory or storage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A cheap gaming laptop with a previous-generation, entry-level Nvidia RTX 4050 normally starts at around $900 to $1,000. That chip gives you enough graphics performance to play the newest demanding games at medium settings. Spending between $1,000 and $1,600 (or perhaps a little more) will get you a laptop with a newer RTX 5060 GPU for a better gaming experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-207946bb-854c-4bc2-b030-c5b629da9dcd\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What other components should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>With the CPU, memory and storage, your choices are a little more flexible for a budget gaming laptop, especially the latter two. Because many games such as first-person shooters rely more on the graphics chip than the CPU, you don&#8217;t necessarily need the fastest available. Going with a more midrange CPU like an Intel Core Ultra 5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is a safe bet.<\/p>\n<p>Also, gaming laptops, especially cheaper ones, let you easily expand or upgrade your memory and storage. If you&#8217;re going to skimp, this is the best place to do it with the expectation you&#8217;ll upgrade eventually and put your cash into the GPU and CPU instead.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the graphics chip, look for:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An Intel Core Ultra Series 1 or 2 processor, or AMD Ryzen 8000 or AI 300 series processor.<\/li>\n<li>At least 8GB of memory (aka RAM) and the capability to add more post-purchase.<\/li>\n<li>At least a 512GB solid-state drive or a combo of 256GB SSD storage and a larger hard drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-68e83990-6b90-4730-880f-704c60fbbcb7\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What laptop brands are the best for gaming?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>Acer makes some of our favorite budget laptops, including two of the best budget gaming laptops in its Predator and Nitro lines. Dell with its Alienware brand and HP with its Omen brand also make some great gaming laptops that we\u2019d recommend. Asus also sells a wide range of good gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-02f909c0-e67c-4ac8-ac16-cb7a730b5248\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">How much money should I expect to spend on a gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>For a true budget model with entry-level RTX graphics, you can expect to pay around $1,000 or more. When you move up in graphics power and display quality as well as CPU, RAM and storage options, a good price to target is $1,500. As you approach $2,000, you leave the budget gaming laptop category and enter mainstream gaming laptop territory.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If you are patient, you can usually find the model you want on sale. Laptop vendors and online retailers are constantly rotating sales, so it pays to keep an eye on pricing and buy during a dip. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-cc8b1eda-b0fc-44df-a6b2-a4f2676e74a6\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">Do budget gaming laptops have good displays?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>Most of your money is going toward components, so the other parts, like the display, keyboard and trackpad and build quality, are going to be OK, but not fantastic. We tend to favor a larger 16-inch display than a 14-inch panel because it provides a more immersive gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p>Display quality has improved on entry-level gaming laptops in the past couple of years, particularly when it comes to refresh rates. It&#8217;s now common to find 120Hz or 144Hz displays offered, which will make fast movement in your games look smoother and give you a more responsive experience. It&#8217;s not worth paying extra for unless the GPU is capable of faster frame rates for your games, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-8 lg:u-col-start-5\">\n<p data-keep class=\"u-speakableText-p1\">It\u2019s a tough time to be shopping for a laptop, particularly any type of gaming laptop. Between the <span><span>global RAM shortage<\/span><\/span> driving up the price of computer memory, the <span><span>AI boom<\/span><\/span> putting GPUs in short supply and <span><span>tariffs<\/span><\/span> generally making things more expensive, laptop prices have been on the rise. A year ago, you could find a budget gaming laptop with either an RTX 5050 or 5060 GPU between $1,000 and $1,500. With few exceptions, such a laptop now costs hundreds more. Here are the best budget gaming laptops, including an MSI model with an integrated GPU that provides decent 3D performance (and great battery life) for less than $1,500.<\/p>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"listiclePrecap\" data-location=\"PRECAP\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-hide c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-compact g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap-hed\">\n<section>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_header\"> Our Picks <\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"1\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/d3e3a74e73db7587031df288b0c64ce26eb8127d\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop on a gray couch\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign isFirst\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best budget gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,669 at Newegg<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.8\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is overkill for most budget gaming laptop shoppers, both in terms of price and features. But if you view it as two laptops in one \u2014 a competent gaming laptop with a reasonably large 15.1-inch display and a general-use laptop that&#8217;s thin and light enough to carry around more than occasionally \u2014 then its price north of $1,500 begins to look like a great value.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>2.5K OLED display is crisp, bright and fast<\/li>\n<li>Snappy keyboard feels fast for games<\/li>\n<li>Thin and light for its size<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Short battery life<\/li>\n<li>No biometrics for easy, secure logins<\/li>\n<li>Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports<\/li>\n<li>Always-on power button LED is annoying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"2\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/36ecb0b198ed6b0d42d5db1989520c1da3cf7137\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/95f537f0-fa02-4104-a19a-063d7678d996\/alienware-16x-aurora-overview-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora laptop sitting on a coffee table next to a vase of flowers\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Alienware Aurora 16X<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,800 at Dell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.3\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Alienware 16X Aurora might not be what you picture when you think of an Alienware gaming laptop, but what it lacks in aggressively styling it more than makes up for with its focus on the display and performance. And its price is certainly less than what you&#8217;ve come to expect from an Alienware machine. It&#8217;s simply hard to find this good a display and this level of performance for the price, although I do wish Dell outfitted it with a keyboard better suited for gaming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Big, bright and fast display<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<li>User replaceable RAM<\/li>\n<li>Crisp, 1080p Windows Hello webcam<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Keyboard isn&#8217;t best for gaming<\/li>\n<li>Audio output underwhelms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"3\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/2a22d97269804e33a6e756879fd8850cd71359d8\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/db75170e-e0c7-4522-b9f2-47661e5113db\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Panther Lake laptop at an angle on colorful desk mat\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,300 at MSI<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">8.0\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Prestige 14 Flip AI has a Core Ultra Series 3 processor from Intel\u2019s new Panther Lake series and offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Playable frame rates from integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics<\/li>\n<li>Around-the-clock battery life<\/li>\n<li>Thin and light and quiet<\/li>\n<li>MSI&#8217;s new Prestige design is a huge improvement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Display is only 60Hz<\/li>\n<li>Bottom panel gets hot during games<\/li>\n<li>Diving-board effect with mechanical touchpad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"4\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3fba5e2c6c1c364dfe55c92ff8327a74f4bf8317\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/f2c739de-0bc2-45aa-aef9-575a1569a07a\/lenovo-loq-15-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop on a table next to a house plant\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">Lenovo LOQ 15<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$1,250 at Walmart<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">7.5\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The Lenovo LOQ 15 is an old-school 15.6-inch gaming laptop powered by present-day AMD and Nvidia silicon. Most gaming laptops have transitioned from 15.6-inch, 16:9 displays to taller, more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. But the LOQ 15 is helping to keep the widescreen tradition alive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Good 3D performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Roomy, comfortable keyboard<\/li>\n<li>Room to expand RAM and SSD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>15.6-inch, 16:9 display looks outdated and limits overall use<\/li>\n<li>Drab design and no RGB lighting<\/li>\n<li>No biometrics for easy, secure logins<\/li>\n<li>Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecap_item\">\n<div data-location=\"PRECAP\" data-cy=\"listiclePrecapItem\" data-position=\"5\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compact c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-compactImages c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem-hasProsConsSection\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_container u-grid-columns\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_headerLinkWrapper-redesign\">\n<div class=\" c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_imageWrap-redesign md:u-col-1\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/86ae857db3381160806d9dda30d4ccd1e4c7c437\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/42321740-f791-40c7-95b9-c5736777c297\/hp-omen-16-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;height=500\" alt=\"HP Omen 16 gaming laptop on a marble coffee table in front of a gray sofa\" class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_image-redesign\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_details-redesign\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_subhead g-text-bold\">Budget gaming laptop with best design<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_title g-text-xsmall\">HP Omen 16<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap md:u-col-2 lg:u-col-4 c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_buttonWrap-redesign\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_button o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-primary\">$2,100 at HP<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-content--collapsed\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-box\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreSection\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-score\"><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreValue\">7.8\/10<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreLabel\">CNET Score<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-globalTooltip-expandedContent c-globalTooltip-arrow c-globalTooltip-arrow_top c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltip\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipContent\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipTitle\">CNET Score<\/h3>\n<p class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-scoreTooltipText\">\n                    CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.\n                  <\/p>\n<p> Read more on: How we test<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-description pro-con-desc\">\n<p>The display is merely average, and the design is an all-plastic affair, but the HP Omen 16&#8217;s duo of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics delivers competitive 1080p frame rates for the price. And while the plastic shell is disappointing, it&#8217;s fairly rigid and coated with a soft-touch finish that lends it a look and feel better than true budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-links\">\n              Read full review<br \/>\n               <span class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-jumplink\"><br \/>\n              Jump to details<br \/>\n              <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-lists\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_pros\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Pros<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Competitive 1080p performance<\/li>\n<li>Good-looking design<\/li>\n<li>Long battery life<\/li>\n<li>Free M.2 slot to add second SSD<\/li>\n<li>User replaceable RAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListPrecap_cons\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListPrecap_prosCons-title\">\n              Cons<br \/>\n            <\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Pricey when not on sale<\/li>\n<li>All-plastic design<\/li>\n<li>Underwhelming audio output<\/li>\n<li>No speedy Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals u-flexbox u-flexbox-column u-flexbox-alignCenter g-inner-spacing-top-xlarge g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListDeals_hed u-text-capitalize u-text-center\">LAPTOP DEALS OF THE WEEK<\/h3>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_productsBlock g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Save Up to $700 on Dell PCs and Accessories<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Dell 16 DC16255 Ryzen 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 16-inch 2K Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$600<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $600)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 Intel 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 16-inch Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$759<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $510)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Intel Ultra 5 256GB SSD 8GB RAM 14-inch Laptop<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$549<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $250)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_product\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyCenter u-text-center\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_link\">\n                Dell 14 Premium Intel Ultra 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 14-inch 2K Laptop (Platinum)<span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListDeals_price\"><span class=\"g-text-bold\">$1,000<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListDeals-msrp u-text-italic\">(save $550)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"u-text-italic u-text-center g-text-xxsmall g-outer-spacing-top-large c-bestListDeals_disclosure\">Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"c-globalToc\">\n<div class=\"c-globalToc_header\">\n<div class=\"c-globalToc_title\"><span class=\"c-globalToc_titleText\">Table of Contents<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-globalToc_dropdown g-dropShadow-hover\">\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best Cheap Gaming Laptop of 2026: My Top Budget Picks\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        What&#8217;s the best budget gaming laptop overall?\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best budget gaming laptops of 2026\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best budget gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Budget gaming laptop with best design\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Best cheap gaming laptops compared\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Other laptops we&#8217;ve tested\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        How we test gaming laptops\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop\n      <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-globalToc_dropdownItem\">\n        Budget gaming laptop FAQs\n      <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"531f1a24-a626-4f40-a600-0ef3efa750ab\" data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep data-id=\"531f1a24-a626-4f40-a600-0ef3efa750ab\">What&#8217;s the best budget gaming laptop overall?<\/h2>\n<p data-keep class=\"u-speakableText-p2\">My favorite is the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 for its ability to pull double duty as a gaming laptop and content creation machine with its high-resolution, color-accurate OLED display. I also like the Alienware 16X Aurora for its 16-inch, 2.5K display that&#8217;s both bright and fast and powered by a full-wattage RTX 5060. <\/p>\n<p data-keep>The HP Omen 16 offers strong RTX 5060 performance and comes wrapped in a good-looking chassis that features a unique and useful take on four-zone RGB keyboard backlighting. But you will want to wait for one of HP&#8217;s revolving discounts to land on it before buying. A cheaper option is the Lenovo LOQ 15, which is based on an outdated 15.6-inch display but serves up modern components for a great price.<\/p>\n<p data-keep>And if you want a do-it-all laptop that offers some semblance of gaming ability rather than a dedicated gaming laptop, you should check out the <span><span>MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/span><\/span>. It&#8217;s based on an Intel Panther Lake CPU with integrated Arc B390 graphics that actually provide playable frame rates at 1080p. And because the laptop doesn&#8217;t need to power a discrete GPU, it&#8217;s thin and light and long-running.<\/p>\n<p data-keep><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep>\n<li><span><span>How to Buy a Gaming Laptop<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><span>Best Gaming Monitors<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Desktop Computer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-keep>My recommendations are based on my own testing. I&#8217;ll update this list of the best budget gaming laptops as I review new products. Also, if you need help deciphering what specs to look for on a good, cheap gaming laptop for playing video games, I have some advice below.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"b41f6e65-b591-44f3-b3ef-14c92ecfc515\" data-ng-block=\"{\" data-keep data-id=\"b41f6e65-b591-44f3-b3ef-14c92ecfc515\"> Best budget gaming laptops of 2026<\/h2>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-id=\"listicle-44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-techprodid=\"6d0f2135-5b6c-4444-9261-19b5afdac1ff\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop on a gray couch\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 has 24-zone RGB keyboard backlighting\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"The left side of the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 features a pair of USB-C ports\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 laptop has an aluminum top cover to protect the display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/ca22796feb63bca4b36a6ee600a6eb272ae04d82\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/992df4eaa9d6f81a2310abb533e9b898477a7e88\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/b1d03354-be7e-4438-a1a9-f7ddce53a475\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3dc5bf7146b987fa86332a163570a4c6ba2e36c5\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/151c4772-6e9a-4bce-b6cf-8f9602a167ea\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-ports.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/357a20279dadc4a2da0ec37a410bffbca99a373a\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/70678378-ea3f-4fb9-8fb6-90f4f9682f15\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-lid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" data-id=\"44bdea5b-690b-4434-a016-e896a604e7c0\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best budget gaming laptop<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.8<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  2.5K OLED display is crisp, bright and fast\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Snappy keyboard feels fast for games\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Thin and light for its size\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Short battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No biometrics for easy, secure logins\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Always-on power button LED is annoying\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 is overkill for most budget gaming laptop shoppers, both in terms of price and features. But if you view it as two laptops in one \u2014 a competent gaming laptop with a reasonably large 15.1-inch display and a general-use laptop that&#8217;s thin and light enough to carry around more than occasionally \u2014 then its price north of $1,500 begins to look like a great value.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It provides great performance for the price, and the 2.5K OLED display is outstanding. The Legion 5i Gen 10&#8217;s OLED wins the Triple Crown for displays: a high resolution for crisp text and images, a speedy refresh rate for smooth movement and a high peak brightness that allows colors to pop. It&#8217;s one of the best laptop displays I&#8217;ve ever seen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a great pick for gamers, but it&#8217;s more than just a gaming laptop. Creators engaged in color-accurate work will love the bright, high-res OLED display and the laptop&#8217;s portability relative to other gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t buy it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you need a portable laptop with good battery life, then most gaming laptops, including this one, are the wrong choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,669 at Newegg\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life\/runtime<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5 hr, 25 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 4.3 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 15.1-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 165Hz OLED<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core i7-14700HX<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        5<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-id=\"listicle-edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora laptop sitting on a coffee table next to a vase of flowers\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora single-zone RGB backlighting on keyboard\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora has a 16-inch 2.5K IPS display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop has aluminum lid\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/40aada3b902edf4fa212168054960da15ab759f2\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/95f537f0-fa02-4104-a19a-063d7678d996\/alienware-16x-aurora-overview-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/835094d505ae1ff8acb21c578cd87205ec1c6796\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/fc22e4d4-cd35-411a-9774-62a23a555974\/alienware-16x-aurora-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f0034915f5bed8c67391c4814f28948c62f5208c\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/fcea3ba5-25cf-4b8a-ac63-a43f9885578a\/alienware-16x-aurora-display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/ed6751164d89e17960d218fd1412bfb77bb81621\/hub\/2025\/09\/24\/93a16f9d-8495-4cef-8fa1-2f0d881a687b\/alienware-16x-aurora-lid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" data-id=\"edd1cb9d-4245-4584-9bc2-903095c67a30\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best 16-inch budget gaming laptop<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Alienware Aurora 16X<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.3<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Strong performance for the price\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Big, bright and fast display\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  User replaceable RAM\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Crisp, 1080p Windows Hello webcam\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Keyboard isn&#8217;t best for gaming\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Audio output underwhelms\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Alienware 16X Aurora might not be what you picture when you think of an Alienware gaming laptop, but what it lacks in aggressively styling it more than makes up for with its focus on the display and performance. And its price is certainly less than what you&#8217;ve come to expect from an Alienware machine. It&#8217;s simply hard to find this good a display and this level of performance for the price, although I do wish Dell outfitted it with a keyboard better suited for gaming.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When sitting side by side, Dell&#8217;s two midrange gaming laptops, the Alienware 16 Aurora and 16X Aurora, are nearly indistinguishable. Each features a roomy, 16-inch, 2.5K IPS display wrapped in a buttoned-up navy enclosure. Aside from their ample size, they don&#8217;t scream &#8220;gaming laptop!&#8221; They look and are priced more like the spiritual successors to Dell&#8217;s shuttered G series than a step down from Dell&#8217;s flagship Alienware 16 Area-51. But in the case of the Alienware 16X Aurora, you&#8217;ll find plenty of gaming-centric features hidden beneath its ordinary exterior.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers with a budget of roughly $1,500 looking for a modern config with an Intel Arrow Lake CPU and Nvidia RTX 50 series GPU powering a big, bright and fast display.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you want an OLED gaming laptop for about the same price, then you should take a look at the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,800 at Dell\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 7 hr, 36 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.49 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 16-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 240Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        5<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Alienware Aurora 16X review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-id=\"listicle-8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Panther Lake laptop at an angle on colorful desk mat\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus Intel Panther Lake stickers on front corner\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus new MSI logo on the lid\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus laptop in profile\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/1a9b52e4d716e89df4a84dd7eed9f3056bfc78bc\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/db75170e-e0c7-4522-b9f2-47661e5113db\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/51df0a7733e12e82ee08e2cf5b1965c0ce0ce2cc\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/cefb300d-9b15-4220-b66d-84bacd8174ac\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-intel-sticker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f62a93ca382a16136b3f053ef6005b1f61a2eaa4\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/2211c6ff-bb00-45ee-a3b2-596c725c9992\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-new-logo.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/d961b4a854c4db3a17e59453b092a70ceda195cf\/hub\/2026\/01\/26\/de19c580-11d9-417e-9097-820f73eba3dd\/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-plus-profile.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" data-id=\"8a41341c-e307-4d97-8623-81900be06e6a\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best Intel Panther Lake laptop with playable frame rates<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    8.0<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Playable frame rates from integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Around-the-clock battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Thin and light and quiet\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  MSI&#8217;s new Prestige design is a huge improvement\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Display is only 60Hz\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Bottom panel gets hot during games\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Diving-board effect with mechanical touchpad\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Prestige 14 Flip AI has a Core Ultra Series 3 processor from Intel\u2019s new Panther Lake series and offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the first laptop with integrated graphics I\u2019ve tested that delivers playable 3D frame rates in AAA titles. So, without needing a dedicated GPU, the Prestige 14 Flip AI is compact, portable and quiet during operation. These are not things that usually describe a laptop capable of playing games. And it offers incredible battery life &#8212; calling it \u201call-day\u201d battery life undersells it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who wants a do-it-all laptop with enough power for gamers and creators inside a compact, lightweight design with luxuriously long battery life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t buy it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re shopping for a true gaming laptop, then you\u2019ll still want a model with dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics that supplies higher frame rates. You\u2019ll also want a display that\u2019s faster than the 60Hz panel found here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,300 at MSI\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 25 hr, 18 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 3.02 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 14-inch 1920&#215;1200 60Hz touch OLED<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Core Ultra X7 358H<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Intel Arc B390<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Memory tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 32GB<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-id=\"listicle-2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-techprodid=\"35edacf4-4fca-46e0-b0e5-47d5a7b8ee18\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop on a table next to a house plant\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 keyboard and touchpad\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 laptop with AMD and Nvidia stickers on the front corner\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Lenovo LOQ 15 turned to show dull gray top cover\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/34dac9a6e8c31d2a32cae86de33a122e7497a889\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/f2c739de-0bc2-45aa-aef9-575a1569a07a\/lenovo-loq-15-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/86ba0179d7786dbcf8e7d9ee9836fa7d5331099a\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/de95260e-7bbf-4dbd-a70c-1c94353fae66\/lenovo-loq-15-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/b699a0ed3d562cc9e87ad8fa491ee21a98ee4b46\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/2de3b291-7ef6-4292-bef8-2f1ebb90c15e\/lenovo-loq-15-amd-nvidia-stickers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3bcaac4bba095d48f23b2769d1df9fa6a84e498d\/hub\/2025\/10\/29\/ac03b0e0-83f5-4b64-ae19-42e474406e4a\/lenovo-loq-15-top-cover.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" data-id=\"2fa119f0-aa30-4ea7-8cbe-d45426a15267\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Best cheap gaming laptop for close to $1,000<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    Lenovo LOQ 15<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    7.5<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Good 3D performance for the price\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Roomy, comfortable keyboard\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Room to expand RAM and SSD\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  15.6-inch, 16:9 display looks outdated and limits overall use\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Drab design and no RGB lighting\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No biometrics for easy, secure logins\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Lacks fast Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The Lenovo LOQ 15 is an old-school 15.6-inch gaming laptop powered by present-day AMD and Nvidia silicon. Most gaming laptops have transitioned from 15.6-inch, 16:9 displays to taller, more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. But the LOQ 15 is helping to keep the widescreen tradition alive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The LOQ 15 serves up great performance for the price. I like getting an RTX 5060 GPU at a price where most gaming laptops offer entry-level RTX 5050 graphics. I also like roomy and comfortable keyboard and the ability to add more RAM and storage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers looking for a laptop for gaming and little else. The LOQ 15 isn\u2019t the best choice as your daily driver. It makes more sense as a secondary laptop specifically for gaming. Its 15.6-inch, 16:9 display can feel cramped for general use compared to roomier and taller 16-inch, 16:10 displays, but its resolution and aspect ratio are perfectly suited for 1080p gaming. And you&#8217;ll get more than playable frame rates at 1080p from its RTX 5060 GPU.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who wants a more modern 16-inch, 16:10 display in their next gaming laptop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$1,250 at Walmart\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 7 hr, 48 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.36 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 15.6-inch 1920&#215;1080 IPS 144Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> AMD Ryzen 7 250<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        Lenovo LOQ 15 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"c-bestListListicle\">\n<div id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-id=\"listicle-d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-cy=\"bestListListicle\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_container\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-column\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_editorial\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_masthead u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery c-bestListListicle_gallery c-bestListGallery-bestListListicle-test\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 gaming laptop on a marble coffee table in front of a gray sofa\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 RGB keyboard backlighting\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"Front corner of the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-bestListGallery_image\"><img src alt=\"HP Omen 16 display\" height=\"306\" width=\"327\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"c-bestListGallery_info u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><figcaption><span class=\"c-bestListGallery_credits\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-globalModal\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_contentWrapper\">\n<div class=\"c-globalModal_content c-globalImageCarousel c-globalModal_listicleRedesign\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\"><span class=\"g-color-white\">Photo Gallery<\/span><span class=\"g-color-white\">1\/4<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_figure\">\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_carousel g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/c22ffe1030858bef20b392ede560dcf5c4e40535\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/42321740-f791-40c7-95b9-c5736777c297\/hp-omen-16-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/6d46e351b6c5dfadb441ce4baf03dde52ee94b0b\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/a5135f52-1ecf-42ff-b715-dfe4a398646a\/hp-omen-16-keyboard.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/21d2515463bbbdb4f275070d69a336cbf69954d7\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/341f174a-94ec-4aff-82a8-fefbdb522f95\/hp-omen-16-corner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-globalImageCarousel_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/9587da1abad927f519d298ae933ae50cf6432215\/hub\/2025\/10\/22\/d346e889-d8c3-4dbf-ae11-3d3cd8db10d7\/hp-omen-16-display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=236&amp;width=420\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"c-globalImageCarousel_credits g-color-black g-text-xxsmall\">Matt Elliott\/CNET<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_headerContainer u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-column\">\n<h2 id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" data-id=\"d2733408-54e7-4e45-a8fa-308352f091b5\" class=\"c-bestListListicle_subhed\">\n                  Budget gaming laptop with best design<br \/>\n                <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_header\">\n<h3 class=\"c-bestListListicle_hed\">\n                    HP Omen 16<br \/>\n                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_badges g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-outer-spacing-top-medium u-flexbox u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-wrap\">\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge g-color-white c-bestListListicle_productRating g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall c-reviewScoreBadge-inline\"><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_rating\"><br \/>\n    7.8<br \/>\n  <\/span><span class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_overall\"><br \/>\n    \/10<br \/>\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-reviewScoreBadge_cnetScore u-text-uppercase\">\n    SCORE\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_details\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_prosCons u-grid\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_pros\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Pros<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Competitive 1080p performance\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Good-looking design\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Long battery life\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Free M.2 slot to add second SSD\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  User replaceable RAM\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListicle_cons\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_attribute g-text-bold\">Cons<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Pricey when not on sale\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  All-plastic design\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  Underwhelming audio output\n                <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-bestListListicle_value\">\n                  No speedy Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports\n                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_descriptionContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_description c-bestListListicle_description-clamp\">\n<p>The display is merely average, and the design is an all-plastic affair, but the HP Omen 16&#8217;s duo of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics delivers competitive 1080p frame rates for the price. And while the plastic shell is disappointing, it&#8217;s fairly rigid and coated with a soft-touch finish that lends it a look and feel better than true budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we like it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It supplies good 3D performance for the price, especially when that price is massively discounted, which it often is. I wouldn\u2019t pay the full price of $2,100 for the Omen 16, but thankfully you don\u2019t have to. HP frequently discounts it where you can find it for closer to $1,500. At that price, the Omen 16 is a great value. I also liked its RGB keyboard backlighting that highlights the WASD keys and internal expansion it provides for adding more RAM and storage. Its battery life is also surprisingly lengthy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who it\u2019s best for<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gamers whose budgets don\u2019t stretch much beyond $1,000 will like the Omen 16\u2019s well-rounded package and good 1080p performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn&#8217;t get it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Anyone who comes across it when it&#8217;s not on sale shouldn&#8217;t pay the full $1,800 for the Omen 16 I tested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore\">\n<div><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-ellipsis\">\u00a0&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_readMore-link\">Show more<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"bestListListicle_cta\" class=\"c-bestListButtons c-bestListListicle_buttonWrap\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListButtons_ctaText o-cta\">Get it now<\/div>\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_buttonContainer u-flexbox c-bestListButtons_link u-flexbox-wrap\" data-v-0ea4bff7>$2,100 at HP\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section u-flexbox o-accordion_header u-flexbox-alignCenter u-flexbox-justifyBetween\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_additionalDetails-title\"> Specs &amp; Configurations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_specs u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Battery life<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 13 hr, 52 min<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 5.3 pounds<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Display size\/type<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> 16-inch, 1,920&#215;1,200, 165Hz IPS LCD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Processor tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> \tAMD Ryzen AI 7 350<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail u-flexbox-column\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-attribute\">Graphics tested<\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_detail-value\"> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings o-accordion\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_metadata-section o-accordion_header u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter\">\n<h4 class=\"c-bestListListicle_subratings-title\">Score Breakdown<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score u-flexbox-alignCenter g-text-xxsmall u-hidden\">\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Design<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Features<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        7<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Performance<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        8<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-item\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox-row u-flexbox-justifyBetween\"><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-attribute\"><br \/>\n                        Battery life<br \/>\n                      <\/span><span class=\"c-bestListListicle_score-value\"><br \/>\n                        9<br \/>\n                      <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-bestListListicle_review\">\n<div class=\"o-cta g-outer-spacing-bottom-small\">Learn more<\/div>\n<p>        HP Omen 16 review\n       <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeChart\">\n<h2 id=\"59160c10-db04-42f8-88af-c4a6028d7923\" data-id=\"59160c10-db04-42f8-88af-c4a6028d7923\" class=\"g-outer-spacing-bottom-small g-text-xlarge\">Best cheap gaming laptops compared<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>See the pricing and specs for our recommended budget gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chartWrapper\">\n<table aria-label=\"Best cheap gaming laptops compared\" class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Price as tested<\/th>\n<th>Display size\/resolution<\/th>\n<th>Weight<\/th>\n<th>CPU tested<\/th>\n<th>GPU tested<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10<\/th>\n<td>$1,669<\/td>\n<td>15.1-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 165Hz OLED<\/td>\n<td>4.3 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core i7-14700HX<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Alienware 16X Aurora<\/th>\n<td>$1,800<\/td>\n<td>16-inch 2,560&#215;1,600 240Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.5 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus<\/th>\n<td>$1,300<\/td>\n<td>14-inch 1,920&#215;1,200 OLED<\/td>\n<td>3.02 pounds<\/td>\n<td>Intel Core Ultra X7 358H<\/td>\n<td>Intel Arc B390<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">Lenovo LOQ 15<\/th>\n<td>$1,250<\/td>\n<td>15.6-inch 1920&#215;1080 144Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.4 pounds<\/td>\n<td>AMD Ryzen 7 250<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"c-shortcodeChart_chart_hasBg\">HP Omen 16<\/th>\n<td>$2,100<\/td>\n<td>16-inch 1,920&#215;1,200 165Hz LCD<\/td>\n<td>5.3 pounds<\/td>\n<td>AMD Ryzen AI 7 350<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"7c1d9881-a912-4ad2-9818-5db34d87379e\" data-id=\"7c1d9881-a912-4ad2-9818-5db34d87379e\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Other laptops we&#8217;ve tested<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>Dell XPS 16: It costs as much as Nvidia RTX models but lacks RTX graphics. Still, the XPS 16 is a strong overall performer with a thin-and-light design.<\/p>\n<p>Acer Swift Edge 14 AI: It\u2019s a sleek and solid OLED laptop but forces some compromises.<\/p>\n<p>Asus Zenbook A16: It\u2019s a true AI laptop among artificial imitators and also impossibly thin and light for its size.<\/p>\n<p>Alienware 18 Area-51: It&#8217;s a dazzling and heavy-duty (emphasis on &#8220;heavy&#8221;) showcase of laptop technology for deep-pocketed gamers.<\/p>\n<p>M5 MacBook Air Review (13-inch, 2026): Go big or go Neo.<\/p>\n<p>MacBook Neo Review: It\u2019s an absolute banger of a budget laptop, but life&#8217;s too short to live without Touch ID.<\/p>\n<p>Dell XPS 14: It&#8217;s great to see Dell bring back the XPS and do so with such style.<\/p>\n<p>GeekBook X14 Pro: Geekom\u2019s first laptop is impressively thin and light but battery life disappoints. And I detest the touch pad.<\/p>\n<p>Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 16 2-in-1 Gen 10: Lenovo&#8217;s low-cost, 16-inch two-in-one is a versatile machine, but it forces you to live with more than a couple of compromises in the design.<\/p>\n<p>Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Pro 16 Aura Edition: Centered around a gorgeous 16-inch OLED display, this kick-ass Yoga laptop provides the performance and build that graphics pros demand.<\/p>\n<p>Alienware Aurora 16: I tested two Alienware Aurora gaming laptops, and this is not the one to get.<\/p>\n<p>Acer Nitro V 16S AI: This budget gaming laptop serves up a big screen and big value.<\/p>\n<p>MSI Katana 15 HX: I liked its 1080p performance but little else.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"238f4364-0abd-4884-b5e2-7a16fd364b05\" data-id=\"238f4364-0abd-4884-b5e2-7a16fd364b05\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">How we test gaming laptops<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>The review process for gaming laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers. This includes evaluating a device&#8217;s aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. A final review verdict is a combination of objective and subjective judgments.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/e24036fc0aeeb725ae2205f64f32400303b37564\/hub\/2022\/04\/13\/78858e68-956e-4ffe-9762-4ab165b15283\/pc-and-laptop-testing.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=768\" alt=\"pc and laptop testing in a lab setting\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>We test all laptops with a core set of benchmarks, including\u00a0Primate Labs Geekbench 6,\u00a0Cinebench 2024,\u00a0PCMark 10, a variety of\u00a03DMark\u00a0benchmarks (whichever can run on the laptop), UL Procyon Photo and Video (where supported), and our own battery life test. <\/p>\n<p>Gaming laptops and gaming PCs receive additional testing to measure their 3D gaming and graphics capability. If a laptop is intended for PC gaming, we&#8217;ll also run benchmarks from Shadow of the Tomb Raider, \u00a0Guardians of the Galaxy,\u00a0The Rift Breaker\u00a0(CPU and GPU), Assassin&#8217;s Creed Shadows and F1 24.<\/p>\n<p>For the hands-on, the reviewer uses it for their work during the review period, evaluating how well the design, features (such as the screen, camera and speakers) and manufacturer-supplied software operate as a cohesive whole. We also place importance on how well gaming laptops and gaming PCs work given their cost and where the manufacturer has potentially made upgrades or tradeoffs for its price. And for laptops meant for playing video games, a reviewer will play a range of newer games for further 3D graphics assessment.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\">\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/af4a4aeea7a747e83b4790474bd4d7610a42aca2\/hub\/2025\/04\/24\/c1d39dad-6b32-4359-a15f-19abe24d73d4\/dsc04788.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=768\" alt=\"photo-of-laptop-on-cart-next-to-router\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption><span class=\"c-shortcodeImage_credit g-inner-spacing-right-small g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-color-text-meta g-text-xxxsmall\">Adam Breeden\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The list of benchmarking software and comparison criteria we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. You can find a more detailed description of our test methodology on our page on\u00a0how we test computers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard_header-noToggle\">\n<h2 id=\"e30b852e-885f-4ea3-8443-57ff4c803d7d\" data-id=\"e30b852e-885f-4ea3-8443-57ff4c803d7d\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<p>For gamers on a tight budget, the trick to finding the right gaming laptop is getting enough performance to play 3D games without sacrificing too much in other areas like the display and overall build quality while also avoiding older models on sale with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. Here&#8217;s our expert advice on what to consider to get the most gaming laptop for your money.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"da1d761b-b7da-4a48-9820-a169b1fd246f\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Price<\/h3>\n<p>The search for an affordable gaming laptop for most people starts with price. The good news is you can find a perfectly serviceable gaming laptop with modern components capable of playing today&#8217;s games for roughly $1,500. Sometimes less than that if you find a model on sale. Dell, HP, Lenovo and other manufacturers are constantly rotating discounts, so you can lock in a great deal if you time it right.<\/p>\n<p>If your budget allows you to spend more than $1,500, you&#8217;ll find models with more powerful components and brighter and faster displays along with other bonuses like per-key RGB lighting and thinner designs.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"36227612-c520-4853-955c-66e8b51d5158\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Operating system<\/h3>\n<p>MacBooks running Apple&#8217;s MacOS are popular for home, work and school use, but Microsoft Windows is the choice for gaming laptops, especially budget gaming laptops. You can run some games on higher-end MacBook Pros, but they are very expensive compared with cheap, Windows-based gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re on a tight budget, you could consider a Chromebook. ChromeOS is a different experience from Windows; it&#8217;s more streamlined and easier to use. It is limited in that basically everything runs through the Chrome browser, so it&#8217;s not possible to install Windows PC games directly on a Chromebook. However, there are some Chromebooks for gamers designed mainly to be used with cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"faf83cfb-72b1-42a6-8d0e-039b6fd8142f\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Screen<\/h3>\n<p>Most gaming laptops feature either a 15-inch or 16-inch screen, although you&#8217;ll see some smaller 14-inch models as well as a few 17- and even 18-inch behemoths. Newer 16-inch models with taller 16:10 aspect ratios are starting to replace 15.6-inch with a more traditional 16:9 widescreen ratio, and we generally favor the boxier 16-inch models. You&#8217;ll likely do most of your gaming at a 1,920&#215;1,080-pixel resolution, which has a 16:9 ratio, but the more vertical space afforded with a 16:10 display makes the laptop more useful outside of gaming when you are scrolling through web pages and long documents. In general, a larger the delivers a more immersive gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p>Another important display spec for gamers is the refresh rate or the number of times per second a display refreshes its image. Most gaming laptops, even cheap ones, have displays with variable refresh rates that can sync to the frames per second of a game to prevent artifacts like tearing (where it looks like parts of different screens are mixed together) and stutter (where the screen updates at perceptibly irregular intervals).<\/p>\n<p>All the major companies have bumped their flagship 1080p configurations to 360Hz, but for many gamers, they&#8217;re not essential: 240Hz maximum should be fine for those few times you can get frame rates above 240fps. On cheaper gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll generally see 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates, which should suffice if you have a lower-end GPU that won&#8217;t push frame rates past 165 fps.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you don&#8217;t plan on playing games at resolutions higher than 1080p, we suggest getting the highest resolution you can afford. Because on a larger 15 or 16-inch laptop display, text and the edges of images can look fuzzy on a 1080p or a 1,920&#215;1,200-pixel resolution on laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio. A Quad HD (QHD) resolution of 2,560\u00d71,440 pixels (2,560\u00d71,600 on a 16:10 display) will result in crisper text and images, and you can always choose to play games at a resolution lower than the maximum.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"edf390b8-7b2c-4a02-80a5-5186b50ff72b\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Processor<\/h3>\n<p>The processor, aka the CPU, is the brains of a laptop. Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for Windows laptops, with Qualcomm as a new third option with its Arm-based Snapdragon X processors. Both Intel and AMD offer a staggering selection of mobile processors. Making things trickier, both manufacturers have chips designed for different laptop styles, like power-saving chips for ultraportables or faster processors for gaming laptops. Their naming conventions will let you know what type is used. You can head to Intel&#8217;s or AMD&#8217;s sites for explanations so you get the performance you want. Generally speaking, the faster the processor speed and the more cores it has, the better the performance will be.<\/p>\n<p>Battery life has less to do with the number of cores and more to do with CPU architecture, Arm versus x86. Apple&#8217;s Arm-based MacBooks and the first Arm-based Copilot Plus PCs we&#8217;ve tested offer better battery life than laptops based on x86 processors from Intel and AMD.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"f6701457-b082-4ee5-aaf8-c20dbbaf48f6\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Graphics<\/h3>\n<p>The graphics processor handles all the work of driving the screen and generating what gets displayed, as well as speeding up a lot of graphics-related (and increasingly, AI-related) operations. For Windows laptops, there are two types of GPUs: integrated (iGPU) or discrete (dGPU). As the names imply, an iGPU is part of the CPU package, while a dGPU is a separate chip with dedicated memory (VRAM) that it communicates with directly, making it faster than sharing memory with the CPU. All gaming laptops will feature a dGPU from either Nvidia or AMD. Nvidia is the more popular of the two. For budget gaming laptops, you&#8217;ll see many models with the entry-level RTX 5050 GPU or step-up RTX 5060.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"e256e6e1-346a-4a00-a000-6602d9ee521d\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Memory<\/h3>\n<p>For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM, with 8GB being the absolute bare minimum. RAM is where the operating system stores all the data for currently running applications, and it can fill up fast. After that, it starts swapping between RAM and SSD, which is slower. Also, many laptops now have the memory soldered onto the motherboard. Most manufacturers disclose this, but if the RAM type is LPDDR, assume it&#8217;s soldered and can&#8217;t be upgraded.<\/p>\n<p>Some PC makers will solder memory on and leave an empty internal slot for adding a stick of RAM. You may need to contact the laptop manufacturer or find the laptop&#8217;s full specs online to confirm. Check the web for user experiences, because the slot may still be hard to get to, it may require nonstandard or hard-to-get memory or other pitfalls, including voiding the warranty.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"7df9fcac-dfc0-43bc-9a40-fcb283ecf84a\" data-ng-block=\"{\">Storage<\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;ll still find cheaper hard drives in budget laptops and larger hard drives in gaming laptops, but faster solid-state drives have all but replaced hard drives in laptops. They can make a big difference in performance. For a gaming laptop, we don&#8217;t recommend going with less than a 512GB SSD unless you really like uninstalling games every time you want to play a new game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCard\" class=\"c-infoCard g-outer-spacing-bottom-large c-infoCard-izeBestList izeBorder\">\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardHeader\" class=\"c-infoCard_header u-flexbox u-flexbox-justifyBetween u-flexbox-alignCenter g-outer-spacing-bottom-large\">\n<h2 id=\"caa124e1-b3ff-4644-a753-c7342ab3d700\" data-id=\"caa124e1-b3ff-4644-a753-c7342ab3d700\" class=\"c-infoCard_hed g-color-primary\">Budget gaming laptop FAQs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div data-cy=\"infoCardDek\" class=\"c-infoCard_dek\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default\">\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-6016c951-8204-43cf-abc7-2bf378b48b48\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">Are budget gaming laptops worth it?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>You can find a good cheap gaming laptop, but they certainly have performance limitations compared to more expensive laptops. The components necessary for an enjoyable PC gaming experience are expensive, which means even entry-level gaming laptops are still typically between $700 to $1,000. Also, because these models use lower-end components, the gaming performance they&#8217;ll have on today&#8217;s demanding AAA games might not hold up for future titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Cheap gaming laptops are worth considering if you typically play older games or games that aren&#8217;t graphically demanding or you&#8217;re OK playing at reduced graphics quality to maintain fast frame rates. They&#8217;re also a suitable option if you&#8217;re looking for a laptop for work or school, but with enough graphics power for casual gaming during your downtime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-bc25d9c3-fe59-4c9a-b30d-65df54241e93\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>For the best gaming experience with a budget gaming laptop, you want to make sure you get the most graphics power you can afford from the start since this can&#8217;t be upgraded later, unlike memory or storage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A cheap gaming laptop with a previous-generation, entry-level Nvidia RTX 4050 normally starts at around $900 to $1,000. That chip gives you enough graphics performance to play the newest demanding games at medium settings. Spending between $1,000 and $1,600 (or perhaps a little more) will get you a laptop with a newer RTX 5060 GPU for a better gaming experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-207946bb-854c-4bc2-b030-c5b629da9dcd\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What other components should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>With the CPU, memory and storage, your choices are a little more flexible for a budget gaming laptop, especially the latter two. Because many games such as first-person shooters rely more on the graphics chip than the CPU, you don&#8217;t necessarily need the fastest available. Going with a more midrange CPU like an Intel Core Ultra 5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is a safe bet.<\/p>\n<p>Also, gaming laptops, especially cheaper ones, let you easily expand or upgrade your memory and storage. If you&#8217;re going to skimp, this is the best place to do it with the expectation you&#8217;ll upgrade eventually and put your cash into the GPU and CPU instead.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the graphics chip, look for:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An Intel Core Ultra Series 1 or 2 processor, or AMD Ryzen 8000 or AI 300 series processor.<\/li>\n<li>At least 8GB of memory (aka RAM) and the capability to add more post-purchase.<\/li>\n<li>At least a 512GB solid-state drive or a combo of 256GB SSD storage and a larger hard drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-68e83990-6b90-4730-880f-704c60fbbcb7\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">What laptop brands are the best for gaming?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>Acer makes some of our favorite budget laptops, including two of the best budget gaming laptops in its Predator and Nitro lines. Dell with its Alienware brand and HP with its Omen brand also make some great gaming laptops that we\u2019d recommend. Asus also sells a wide range of good gaming laptops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-02f909c0-e67c-4ac8-ac16-cb7a730b5248\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">How much money should I expect to spend on a gaming laptop?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>For a true budget model with entry-level RTX graphics, you can expect to pay around $1,000 or more. When you move up in graphics power and display quality as well as CPU, RAM and storage options, a good price to target is $1,500. As you approach $2,000, you leave the budget gaming laptop category and enter mainstream gaming laptop territory.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If you are patient, you can usually find the model you want on sale. Laptop vendors and online retailers are constantly rotating sales, so it pays to keep an eye on pricing and buy during a dip. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id data-cy=\"shortcodeListicle\" data-id=\"listicle-cc8b1eda-b0fc-44df-a6b2-a4f2676e74a6\" data-location=\"LIST\" class=\"c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large c-shortcodeListicle-infoCard c-shortcodeListicle-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_text\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heading g-outer-spacing-top-large\">\n<div class=\"u-flexbox\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_heds u-flexbox-column u-flex-grow u-flexbox-justifyCenter\">\n<h3 class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_hed g-text-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\">Do budget gaming laptops have good displays?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicle_dek c-shortcodeListicleDek g-color-text-meta c-shortcodeListicleDek-bestListInfoCard\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_clamp\">\n<div class=\"c-ShortcodeContent c-ShortcodeContent-theme:default sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-12\">\n<p>Most of your money is going toward components, so the other parts, like the display, keyboard and trackpad and build quality, are going to be OK, but not fantastic. We tend to favor a larger 16-inch display than a 14-inch panel because it provides a more immersive gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p>Display quality has improved on entry-level gaming laptops in the past couple of years, particularly when it comes to refresh rates. It&#8217;s now common to find 120Hz or 144Hz displays offered, which will make fast movement in your games look smoother and give you a more responsive experience. It&#8217;s not worth paying extra for unless the GPU is capable of faster frame rates for your games, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"c-shortcodeListicleDek_readMore o-inText-link o-inText-link-lightBg\"><br \/>\n      Show more<br \/>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/cnet.com\/tech\/computing\/best-cheap-gaming-laptop\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/cf345ded7df65cd05596999351be23041a84bc42\/hub\/2025\/09\/17\/1028673c-da84-4f71-a742-765e7211dee9\/lenovo-legion-5i-gen-10-overview.jpg?auto=webp&amp;fit=crop&amp;height=675&amp;width=1200&#8243;] Our Experts Written by\u00a0 Matt Elliott Article updated on\u00a0April 30, 2026 at 7:12 AM PDT Matt ElliottSenior Editor Matt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services. Matt has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops. He has worked for CNET in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[67,226],"class_list":["post-1912351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-cnet-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1912351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1912351"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1912351\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1912351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1912351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1912351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}