Best Gaming Laptop Under 2000

Introduction

Are you looking for a gaming laptop? With so many dedicated and versatile options available, making the choice can be hard. What should you look for in an ideal gaming laptop for your needs? Is a 2000 budget enough to get everything you want in one rig? Will the i7 deliver to your expectations or are you better off going for a lower processor and high end GPU?

Our review on the best gaming laptop under 2000 will offer insight into some of the top picks available, and explore in detail just why they would be an ideal fit for your gaming hub.; We also offer handy shopping tips when looking for a great gaming laptop for any budget, as well as explore the differences between gaming PC towers and laptops.

A Review of the Best Gaming Laptops for a 2000 Budget

MSI GS75 Stealth Gaming Laptop – Best 17” gaming laptop under 2000

If you are looking for a 17 inch laptop, the MSI GS75 Stealth gaming laptop could be a value pick. This model is stylish and well designed, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable gaming experience while also meeting any multitasking needs. It features a high end series 20 NVIDIA GeForce GPU, as well as an i7 processor which ensure seamless rendering of games.

This model features 1TB SSD storage, as well as an innovative Thunderbolt 3 port that offers enhanced functions for connectivity and power supply. It also offers a sleek finish, which includes the silky smooth touchpad for convenient touch control. This unit also offers a great ventilation system that reduces the risk of overheating when gaming. That said, it will struggle with some heat when running heavier titles. The MSI GS75 laptop offers great value for online gaming, and could be a leading choice for AAA games.

Verdict

The series 20 GeForce GPU, 144 Hz output and powerful i7 processor (1) combine for impressive output when gaming with the MSI GS75 Stealth laptop. This model packs great power to match its performance, and it is a great choice for people who are interested in a 17-inch gaming laptop.

Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop – Best gaming laptop under 2000

The cool blue lighting and stylish design of the Lenovo Ideapad L340 gaming laptop combine with the 180-degree hinges to deliver a stylish gaming unit. This laptop also features NVIDIA GeForce 1050 GPU, which is impressive for the price. The L340 Ideapad is hardwired with Dolby audio for an immersive sound output when gaming. It is sleek, stylish and the one stop solution for gaming on a budget.

This model also features an i7 processor, as well as 1TB + 256 GB SSD in storage. It offers Wi-Fi and Ethernet support, allowing you to enjoy online gaming without any problems. The model is game ready, with a preinstalled OS allowing for plug and play action. This laptop is also optimized for gaming, and will deliver faster launches and quicker start up times than other models featured.

Verdict

If you are working with a very small budget, the Lenovo Ideapad L340 could be a great choice. The laptop costs significantly less than other models featured, and offers a competitive performance when stacked against gaming PC of the same price range. The 15-inch gaming laptop will deliver a great experience for gamers who are looking for minimum fuss with their games.

HP Omen Gaming Laptop – Best gaming audio under 2000 for audio quality

With an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 ti GPU and an i7 processor, you can be guaranteed that the HP Omen gaming laptop will handle most games without any lagging. This sleek laptop is designed for the heavy duty demands of gaming, and offers the best battery life for any model we looked at which stands at about 13 hours. The unit also offers 12 GB RAM, as well as 1TB + 128 GB SSD storage. At 17 inches, it offers a better display than most options we’ve looked at as well.

The model stands out for its impressive audio output, which provides for an immersive gaming experience. Aside from the cutting edge graphics, high output display and impressive audio by Bang and Olufsen, the stylish design of the gaming laptop and keyboard offer great value for convenient gaming. If you are looking for a gaming PC that will also double as your media center, the HP Omen could be a great choice.

Verdict

The HP Omen gaming laptop is a leading choice for people who are looking to buy a versatile gaming PC. It delivers impressive display and audio, allowing for an unmatched experience for multitasking (2). The gaming output is also very impressive, and this PC will work well for a variety of games.

Prostar Clevo Thin Bezel Gaming Laptop – Best keyboard and touchpad for gaming laptop under 2000

The Prostar Clevo thin bezel gaming laptop offers some of the best specs for any gaming laptop featured on this list. Alongside an i7 processor, the unit also features a GTX 2060 NVIDIA GPU which ensures high quality output when gaming. The Audio system, with a built in array microphone and speakers delivers a great sound, which is central to immersive gaming.

The versatile gaming laptop will work well for other uses, which makes it an ideal fit for the modern gamer. It includes a range of interfaces for optimal connectivity, including a card reader, HDMI port and multiple USB ports for convenient gaming. It is a very lightweight model, and includes an already installed OS which makes it game ready wherever you are. The gaming PC is optimized for quicker game launches, which allows for a hassle free gaming experience every time.

Verdict

The Prostar Clevo thin bezel gaming laptop will work well for multitasking and other uses aside from gaming, which makes the versatile piece ideal for many people. It offers a high quality CPU and GPU, which ensures seamless gaming every time. While the primary drive is smaller than other models featured, the quality of output for gaming and other uses makes this pick hard to beat.

ASUS ROG Strix Scar III Gaming Laptop – Best display for gaming laptop under 2000

The high frame rates of the ASUS ROG Strix Scar III gaming laptop combine with its superior NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU for an impressive performance for games. It is also optimized for the demands of heavy duty gaming, and handles both Esports and AAA gaming quite well. The slim bezels allow for a full picture output, which makes this gaming laptop our leading pick for the picture quality. It also offers enhanced fans for easier cooling, as well as different fan profiles for varied use.

The turbo setting will be noisy, but it can protect your laptop from overheating when gaming. Unlike other fragile models, the ROG Strix Scar III is tested through rigorous drop, vibration and pressure checks to ensure it lives up to the high quality standard. If you are looking for a hardy performer that will withstand impact while delivering great audio and picture quality, then this pick could be just what you need.

Verdict

The premium gaming system is engineered for optimal output, even with Esports, it is a versatile pick that will deliver very high frame rates, as well as an impressive display. Despite its smaller size, this laptop will surpass your expectations when gaming. If you are looking for a value buy below 2000, the ROG Strix Scar III laptop will be a great choice.

Dell Inspiron 7000 Gaming Laptop – Best 15” gaming laptop under 2000

The Dell Inspiron 7000 gaming laptop features the GeForce GTX 1060 GPU and an i7 processor which, while not as powerful as some models we’ve looked at, performs considerably well for many game titles. The 15-inch laptop features a backlit keyboard and intuitive touchpad, although these are fragile and will not be the best for consistent gaming. It comes with Windows 10 preinstalled, and is game ready.

It also offers multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi support, as well as multiple USB connections and Bluetooth. The 1.5 TB hybrid storage will work well for gamers with a wide variety of titles, as well as those who are interested in the versatile use of this PC. The lightweight Dell Inspiron 700 will deliver rich audio and an impressive picture output, both of which ensure an enhanced gaming experience.

Verdict

If you are interested in heavy duty gaming (3), you may need to consider a USB keyboard and mouse for this laptop. Aside from this, the Inspiron 700 offers an impressive performance for gaming that makes it a great choice for people who are looking for a 15-inch unit.

What Should You Opt For Between a Gaming PC and Laptop?

Gaming laptops and PCs are basically the same apart from the build, right? Wrong. There are a few gaming specific factors that will cause significant differences between the two. For starters, gaming laptops are portable and powered by a single button which means they can be used almost anywhere. Even the largest laptop is significantly more portable than the most pocket friendly gaming PC. (4).

Gaming PCs will make up for this in their customization and upgrade options. While you may not be able to make too many changes on your gaming laptop, your PC is designed to handle improvements and may be better suited for gamers interested in keeping up with the latest releases.

The touchpad is often limiting for gaming laptops, with most players finding it difficult to use this controller. Laptop keyboards are also notoriously delicate, and will tend to succumb to wear very quickly. When considering a gaming laptop, you will also have to look into a mouse and keyboard. Gaming PC offer better value in this regard, but many offer wired components which limit the convenience and mobility of gamers.

On the flip side, gaming laptops already have a monitor, which may need to be purchased for your PC. Both options will offer external support, but a gaming laptop will be significantly more convenient even though the screen size is limited.

Gaming laptops will usually have mobile component versions of their PC counterparts, and these deliver slightly less of a performance than the original components. For instance, the GTX 980 M is not as powerful as the GTX 980. You will still have to combat overheating, especially when playing the heavy duty titles available (6).

So, is a gaming laptop ideal for you? If you are looking for convenient gaming on the go, there is no better choice. Gaming laptops will offer great value for gaming anywhere you go, and deliver an impressive output as well.

How to Find the Best Gaming Laptop for Every Budget

Our list offers a look at the best gaming laptops for a budget of 2000, but the criteria used can help you find an ideal choice for larger or smaller budgets. We carry out extensive synthetic and real world tests to ensure we provide comprehensive information on each model.

We evaluate the graphics performance, VR compatibility, battery life, file transfer, online gaming output and check on the speeds, heat and noise levels to ensure all our top picks stand out from the rest of the gaming laptops on offer. We even carry out keyboard and mouse tests to find the most convenient gaming laptops available. You might have a problem trying out all these aspects on different models, due to time and access constraints.

So here are some detailed criteria on what to consider when looking for a gaming laptop for your budget:

Size

As a rule of thumb, larger computers will pack more power, and this is almost always the case for gaming laptops. If you are looking for a powerful performer for gaming, 17 and 18 inch options will tend to meet your minimum requirements. Some 15 inch options pack a big punch, and could be ideal alternatives. As an added benefit, they are more portable and easier to store. Smaller laptops, in the 13 and 14 inch and notebook categories, will tend to compromise on the quality of components used.

Display, Sound, and Build

the quality of output will be underwhelmed if the display and sound are not up to par. You need to find a gaming laptop with a superior output in both of these aspects to enjoy an immersive experience. It is important to consider the audio and picture quality before you make your move. You may also need to look into the frame, keyboard and touchpad of your gaming PC, as well as the number of available ports and internet connectivity.

CPU and GPU

These components will dictate performance, and are very crucial to the right gaming unit. You should look into your CPU and GPU before making your final choice to find the combination that offers best value. We recommend at least a GeForce 16 series GPU or similar alternatives, and an i7 processor. Depending on the type of games you may be interested in, an i5 processor could come in handy (5).

Remember,

• You do not need to move from PC to laptop gaming for low end titles which may otherwise be supported by an integrated graphics card.
• If you are looking for VR compatible systems, you should consider models packing at least the GeForce 1060 GPU. You may also need to know how to check your VRAM for easier operation.
• If you are looking to multitask with your gaming PC, your ideal choice should have at least an i7 processor and 8 GB RAM.
• Touch screen laptops, as well as those offering an OLED display will drain your battery faster. While they may be ideal for other uses, they can be thoroughly inconveniencing for gamers.
• You should get a laptop with a refresh rate of at least 60 Hz to minimize lag and ensure smoother displays.
• While 17 and 18 inch laptops generally pack more power, some 15 inch options will deliver beyond your expectations. Smaller models will be easier to carry, but these usually lack the high output components for intensive gaming.
• A comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad are almost as big as your GPU for the right gaming laptop.

Final Words

If you are working with a very small budget, the Lenovo Ideapad L340 gaming laptop could be an ideal choice. This 15-inch laptop offers a great gaming experience without eating into your budget significantly. It is a great value pick with a superb processor and GPU at the price. It may be limited for VR gaming, but it will handle online action relatively well.

It also comes with Windows 10 installed, and will basically be a plug and play model. We like the 1 TB and 256 GB SSD, and feel that the 8 GB DDR RAM will be enough to handle most gaming needs. The budget Ideapad L349 can be your go-to choice when working with a budget.