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$2000 is a lot of money to invest in a powerful gaming PC, and it’s only right that you get the best gaming laptops under 2000 for that price. If you’ve gone gaming laptop shopping above the budget range, you know that price doesn’t always translate to value. The perfect gaming laptop should have a decent graphics card, an amazing processor, screen, battery life, and form factor to double as your daily pc when you’re not gaming.
If you’re in a rush, then we recommend the GIGABYTE AORUS 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop. While it lacks most of the style of a stereotypical gaming PC, it packs a 3080 graphics card, 32GB of Ram, and the 11th generation Intel Graphics processor.
In addition to the AORUS, we also reviewed 4 other great choices that deliver great performances while skirting all the popular problems you see at their price brackets – poor thermal management, average keyboards, bad battery life, inaccurate screens. To save you even more research time, we’ve also compiled an exhaustive buying guide to walk you through difficult areas of the buying process.
Review of the Best Laptops under 2000 dollars
1. Best Overall Gaming PC Under $2000 – GIGABYTE AORUS 15.6 Gaming PC
The GIGABYTE AORUS gaming Pc is one of GIGABYTE’s premier offerings and one of the only gaming computers on the market that packs a top-of-the-line mobile RTX 3080 processor while still being well priced below $2000. For what you pay for, you get premium graphical performance with great temperature control and the raw power to tackle any intensive task on your mobile power station.
Key Features
- 11th Generation Intel Core 17- 11800H
- Gen 4 1T SSD
- 98 Whr Battery
- 15.6 -inches 1090 IPS LCD Display (240Hz) with 72 NTSC
- Windforce Infinity Next-gen cooling
- Fusion Keyboard with RGB
- Nvidia RTX 3080 with 8GB of Memory
- 32 GB of GDRR5 Ram
- Thunderbolt 4 port
The AORUS is a marvel of modern engineering. Beefy specifications aside, every aspect of the computer has been optimized to deliver world-class performance across all areas. The 2nd generation RTX architecture means it can take advantage of new DLSS technology that boosts frame rates and graphical fidelity in real-time. The in-house Aorus Windforce Infinity features 5 heat pipes and over 73 blades that work overtime to keep your PC running cool while you work and game. The port selection is also very generous. With 2 USB 3.1 ports, a Thunderbolt 4, a card reader, and 2 mini-display ports, you will be fully able to work with most modern monitors. However, the best part of the Aorus has to be the new Gen 4 PCI-e SSD. It’s snappy and up to 2 times faster than Gen 3 PCI-e SSDs. The WiFi 6 and RJ 45 Ethernet dongle also ensure you’re never more than a few seconds away from what you need online.
Pros
- Powerful new 3080 graphics card
- Comes with a thunderbolt port
- Has 4th Generation PCI-e SSD
Cons
- Has a 720 webcam that points up your nose
2. Best Gaming Laptop for Creators – ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 QHD Gaming Laptop
The ASUS ROG G15 Gaming Laptop is a powerful RTX 3070 powered PC created for gamers and creators. It weighs just 4.21 lbs yet comes packed with the latest Ryzen 9 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and runs just as fast and cool as larger, more expensive computers.
Key Features
- QHD 165 Hz 100% DCI-P3 color-accurate screen
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor
- Nvidia RTX 3070 Max-Q with 8GB of GDDR6 memory
- 1TB of PCI-e SSD
- WiFi 6
The ASUS G15 is a departure from ASUS’s regular heavy gamer focus. It has a sleek aluminum unibody design, No RGB Accents, and appeals to working professionals and dedicated gamers. Its processor, the new AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, is an 8 core CPU with an overclock of 4.5 GHz that excels in gaming, video calling, intensive image processing, video editing, and renders. And the new 3070 Max- Q processor delivers great performance without falling too far behind a full 3070. The display is every creator’s dream. It is color accurate, snappy, and has full anti-glare so you can take work with you on the go.
The port selection gives you decent connectivity, allowing you to use third-party displays, quick charge, and tag on multiple accessories without needing a third-party connector.
Pros
- Thin and light form factor
- Ships with Nvidia 3070 Max-Q
- Color accurate display
- Supports WiFi 6
- Great battery life
Cons
- Not as powerful as a full 3070 mobile graphics card
3. Best Budget Laptop under $2000 – MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop
The MSI Stealth is the natural choice for gamers who are looking for a powerful, yet portable thin and light gaming PC on a modest budget. It comes with the new mid-range RTX 3060 graphics card and the new 11th gen Intel I7 processor, all packed into a sub-4-pound chassis.
Key Features
- 11th Generation Intel 17 with boost clock up to 5.3 GHz
- Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB of VRAM
- 15.6-inch 144hz 1080p Display
- Thunderbolt 4 port
- MSI Cooler technology
- 3.73 inches chassis
The MSI stealth is one of MSI’s better-performing gaming laptops. Designed for on-the-go gaming and creation, it rocks a unibody aluminum body and comes in three stealthy colors— blue, white, and grey.
Performance on the MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop is lightning fast despite its thin and light form factor. The RTX 3060 coupled with the 11th generation Intel processor and MSI cooler boost 5 technology keeps the computer running toasty as you render, game, video editing, and serious image editing. There are dedicated cooling pastes for GPU and CPUs, up to 6 heat pipes, and dual fans with 0.1 mm blades.
The 144Hz pretty large screen of the MSI stealth is another great highlight of the computer. The IPS FHD screen is color accurate and has a 144 Hz refresh rate. However, it’s the Thunderbolt 4.0 port that brings the most versatility to this gaming pc. It supports transfers up to 40Gbps and is compatible with all USB 4.0 devices. The port also supports up to 100 watts of fast charging, allowing you to double-dip in real-time, which means you can charge twice as fast, not that the 6 hr battery life was not more than enough. The 4th Gen PCI-e SSD ensures you can hop from task to task, and the onboard Nahamic software ensures you don’t need speakers to enjoy surround sound.
Pros
- Powerful RTX processor
- 6 hours of battery life
- Thin form factor
- WiFi 6 support
- Fast SSD
- Amazing surround sound speaker software
Cons
- Does not come with an Ethernet port
- Shallow speakers
4. Best Large Gaming Laptop – Acer Predator Triton 500 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Predator Triton 500 Gaming Laptop is a beefy, power-guzzling Gaming Pc with the RTX 2070 Super mobile graphics card. It comes with all of the RGB, RAM, and processing power you need to take on most modern triple AAA titles.
Key Features
- RTX 2070 Super graphics card with 8GB of VRAM
- 10th gen Intel i7-10750H
- 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- 512 PCIe NVMe SSD
- RGB Keyboard lights
- 4th Gen Aeroblade 3D Fan
- 15.6 FHD IPS display with G-Sync and 300Hz Refresh rate
The Predator runs on the first generation of Nvidia RTX graphics. While that does mean you won’t enjoy the new architecture or design, you still enjoy Ray tracing technology and better performance than ever processor in the 10 series line. The combination of the 10th gen i7, 2070, and 3rd generation PCI-e SSD means you have the juice to tackle most graphics-intensive games in the best settings. And thanks to the display, you have less than 3ms of response time because of the high-refresh screen and amazing G-sync tech.
The entire configuration runs cool with decent airflow and manageable fan noise through your gaming sessions. Their Aeroblade cooling technology uses dual 59 0.1 mm fans with winglets to reduce fan noise.
PredatorSense, Acer’s resident performance monitor, controls the majority of The Predator Triton 500’s more energy and performance-boosting features and RGB. There are various fan modes for all three levels of performance, active monitoring, custom tuning, and other interesting features.
Pros
- Dedicated tuning and performance monitoring software
- Powerful Hardware and Software
- Specialized performance cooling fans
- Flexible RGB lighting
- Great value for the price
- Expandable storage and Ram
Cons
- Plastic construction
- Difficult to upgrade
- Loud fans
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Laptop under 2000
When you’re shopping at a similar price point, every laptop seems like the best gaming laptops under 2000 dollars, and it can be difficult to find the right computer for your needs. You have to ask yourself hard questions like;
Do you need something the most powerful processor or graphics card?
Is a small form factor something that is important to you?
Or do you need it to double as your daily pc?
You can get answers to all these questions by taking a closer look at the important features that make up a great gaming PC.
Processor
The processor is the brain of your gaming computer, and it generally determines how well they run, play games, multi-task, and handle processor-intensive tasks like video editing, rendering, etc.
A good modern gaming processor should have the following:
- High core numbers(6-8)
- Great base and boost clock speeds (3.1- 5.3 GH)
- Must be a recognizable brand (Intel or AMD, preferably something recent from them)
If your computer processor was made sometime in the last two years, and it’s the top-of-the-line offering for their product class, you should be fine.
GPU
GPUs are what make your gaming computers so expensive and have the biggest impact on how well your computer handles certain game titles and graphically intensive tasks like rendering, etc. Ideally, you want a computer with the latest specification on the market and buy those.
However, it’s often not that simple. Generations, suffixes, and model numbers can drastically impact the performance of your computer. Nvidia’s latest cards, the RTX 30 series, are the best offering right now. RTX 3050 is a great entry option, and 3080 is the best available on mobile pc. The current generation cards usually outperform their predecessor, but more premium older cards typically do better than new-gen starter cards one generation down.
So, when you’re shopping, opt for the best graphics card you can find in the current best gen and keep an eye out for premium last generation options too to get the best bang for your buck.
What about suffixes like Max-Q, Super, and Ti. Graphics cards with the suffix of Ti are generally performance versions of the base graphics card. Max-Q cards focus more on efficiency, often at the risk of a performance bump. Super cards are supped-up versions of a base graphics card.
Display
There are a few important things you want to pay attention to when looking at a display for a great gaming Laptop.
- IPS or TN Technology (IPS is always better)
- Resolution (FHD, QHD, or 4k)
- Refresh rate (120 to 300Hz)
- Color accuracy
Battery Life
If you use your computer for more than gaming, you might want it to come with a powerful battery to handle light work for multiple hours. Opting for a laptop with a larger battery is one way to guarantee this, but battery optimization and software are also big factors you need to consider. 70 to 90 What is a healthy range for a laptop battery.
Connectivity, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ports
The more ports and connectivity options your computer has, the better. Thunderbolt 4 ports provide the most flexibility in terms of charging and data transfer. USB 3.1, Ethernet, and Mini-HDMI ports are also important. Prioritize the ports that make the most sense for your gaming or work experience.
Storage
SSDs are the standard for modern gaming computers on the market, but they are not all created equal PCI -e NVMe gives you the fastest transfer speed, which can translate to increased performance in all areas. Gen 4 PCIe SSDs are even faster than other popular ones. Some computers give room for and encourage upgrading the computer’s specs. Some even include multiple NVME lots in case you need more fast storage. Prioritize this feature if you think you need it.
Wrapping up
Owning and using a powerful gaming laptop is a joy. With the current prices of processors and graphics cards, buying a portable gaming pc seems to be the only way to get your game on. Our list of some of the best gaming laptops under 2000 dollars provides a modest solution to the average gamer’s dilemma – how do I find the bests specs for the price.
1. Best Overall Gaming Laptop under 2000 dollars – GIGABYTE AORUS 15.6 Gaming PC
2. Best Gaming Laptop for Creators – ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 QHD Gaming Laptop
3. Best Large Gaming Laptop – Acer Predator Triton 500 Gaming Laptop
