Looking for a good mid-range gaming laptop that packs enough punch and yet doesn’t leave a hole in your pocket? In this detailed guide, we’ll share detailed benchmarks on 5 different rigs. Each one of these has its very own unique combination of specs. So, whether you’re looking for the highest graphics settings, powerful battery or customizable keyboard, this run-down has all that plus a lot more.
Contents
| Laptop Model | Weight | Storage | GPU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus FX503VD | 5.70 lbs | 1-2 TB | GTX 1050 | |
| Lenovo Legion Y720 | 5.29 lbs | 1 TB | GTX 1060 | |
| HP Pavilion 15 | 5.18 lbs | 1 TB | GTX 1050Ti | |
| Dell G5 | 6.28 lbs | 1 TB | GTX 1060 | |
| Acer Nitro5 | 5.51 lbs | 256 GB | GTX 1050Ti |
5. Asus FX503VD FHD Turbo-Powered Core i7 Rig
The ASUS FX503VD is a cost-effective gaming giant. But why does it rank so highly as an affordable option? Well, a closer look at it reveals that it retails at an under 1,000 price tag.
That’s despite coming with a 7-th generation Core i7-7700HQ processor. The quad-core processor operates at 2.8GHz at normal speeds but has the potential to be upgraded to a 3.8GHz capacity.
Yet another plus with the Asus is that it packs an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card. This is a really powerful graphics card that you can rely on to conquer most modern-day titles.
Besides having such a beefy processor, this machine provides you with a 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD storage. This generous storage room is perfect for stable OS drive speeds. And because this laptop has no bloatware issues, you can count on its extra capacity to achieve a great performance.
Moving on, you’ll get an 8GB DDR4 DRAM when you opt for this machine. That’s a pretty powerful and reliable RAM which goes a long way in providing the capacity needed to accommodate the huge processor.
Yet another awesome feature that we really liked about this gaming rig is that it has a backlit keyboard. Its well-built keys also boast a superb travel distance of 1.8mm. Such a solidly built keyboard is, sometimes, all it takes to have an edge over your rivals in the field of gaming.
One thing we didn’t like about the FX503VD is that whenever it’s pushed to the limits, its fans also tend to get a little noisy. That’s, however, not much of an issue especially to those who enjoy gaming with their headphones on.
Pros
- Great graphics card
- Above-average display quality
- Well-built keyboard
- Great WiFi connectivity
- Slim profile
Cons
- May get a little noisy when gaming
- The machine weighs above 5lbs which isn’t a light as the salesmen would like you to believe
4. Lenovo Legion Y520 Model 80WK00FHUS FHD
Armed with a reliable GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics card from NVIDIA the Y520 is one of the most underrated gaming machines. Until you factor in the fact that it comes with a 7-th generation Core i5-7300HQ processor is when the truth behind this rig’s power comes out.
The 1050Ti graphics card is a highly advanced one. It enables you to play most games smoothly. What’s more? It grants you the dominance needed to dominate some AAA titles.
On top of that, this PC packs high-quality audio features. So, whether you prefer to use it with or without headphones, you can rest assured to enjoy an immersive gaming experience.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the Y520’s sound system features 2x2W Harman speakers. These come complete with a Dolby Audio premium functionality which is all that’s needed to deliver a top-notch audio quality.
The icing on the cake is that this machine comes with a Crimson backlit keyboard. This keyboard provides you with a fantastic 1.7mm travel distance which is all you need to enjoy crisp and accurate keystrokes.
That way, you can enjoy chatting and gameplay all thanks to these highly responsive keys. But just as we pointed out with the Asus FX503VD, this one too weighs more than 5lbs. So, if you’re looking for an ultra-thin or ultra-portable machine, you may need to look elsewhere.
Pros
- Powerful processor
- Great audio quality
- Well-built and responsive keyboard
- Relatively powerful graphics card
- Awesome booting speed
Cons
- Its power button seems a bit shaky
- Tiny SSD storage capacity
3. HP Pavilion 15 with GeForce GTX 1050Ti Graphics Card
There are two key features that serious games insist on. These are the display and quality of graphics. So, how does the HP Pavilion 15-cx0020nr fare as far as those two are concerned?
Well, first off, this rig packs an NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti graphics card. The main advantage to having this kind of graphics card is that it provides you with a dedicated 4GB GDDR5. That’s a whole lot of room to accommodate even some UHD titles.
And as far as the machine’s display is concerned, you’re looking at 15.6-inch IPS display. This is, certainly, the best quality you can ever find at this price range
To complement the great graphics is a rich audio system. This works through front-firing speakers, B&O play tuning as well as HP Audio Boost.
One challenge you’re likely to face as a gamer is the need to scale up your career. In that case, the 15-cx0020nr provides you with a 16GB Intel Optane memory capacity. That’s precisely all you need to enjoy a responsive computer gaming experience.
Another major selling point of this device is that it presents you with a generous battery life of 8hours and 45minutes.
On the flipside, though, the machine weighs 5.18 pounds. That means you’re likely to notice its weight when carrying it on your backpack although it isn’t too heavy to handle. We also didn’t like its trackpad – it’s too small and barely accurate.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Smooth graphics
- Superb battery life
- Cute, backlit keyboard (acid green)
- Its processor is quite powerful
Cons
- It feels a bit bulky and kind of delicate
2. Dell G5587-5859BLK-PUS G5 with Anti-Glare Display
This is one of the few gaming laptops that literally fly off the shelves due to their affordability. But why is this the case? Well, you’ve got to appreciate that the G5587-5859BLK-PUS comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 card.
Yup, you read that right. Despite going for a price that’s way below 1,000, this one presents you with a graphics card that’s stronger than any other reviewed so far.
And there is more! The G5587-5859BLK provides you with an expandable 8GB RAM which can be upgraded to a 32GB one. Of course, you’d need to buy the additional memory separately – that’s a downside on the part of this, otherwise, great machine.
On a positive note, though, Dell seems to have upped its game on this device by providing 128GB SDD and 1TB HDD. That’s exactly the duo you need to enjoy 4X faster storage than on conventional SATA. And thanks to this unique memory set up you get to load apps and data faster. In fact, you even get better shock resistance.
Its 1920×1080 display stands out with its generous IPS anti-glare functionality. That’s in addition to the fact that it’s backlit and, therefore, usable even in outdoor conditions.
A gaming machine that involves everyday use should also be powerfully built. And thanks to the fact that this machine’s case is reinforced with magnesium alloy braces, you can count on it to put up with a demanding gaming lifestyle.
But even with all those awesome features, we still think this machine has a long way to go in terms of durability. We’re used to seeing gaming rigs with heavy-duty housings and gigantic fans. However, this one seems minimalistic and, to some extent, delicate.
Also, if you’re keen enough that is, you can notice some backlight bleed around the camera. This is quite noticeable when the screen goes black.
Pros
- Tactile keyboard with smooth keystrokes
- Great screen
- Firm keyboard deck
- Looks professional in addition to being a gamer’s charm
- Great drivers
Cons
- Noticeable backlight bleed
- Minimalistic and somewhat delicate body
1. Acer AN515-51-55WL With Core i5-7300HQ
What does the word “affordability” mean to you? If you’re looking for good value for money, we think the Acer AN515-51-55WL would meet the grade.
Powered by a 7-th generation Core i5-7300HQ processor, this gaming rig has the potential to give some low-end GTX1060 a run for their money.
In fact, it comes with a 4GB dedicated VRAM which allows for a smooth gaming experience. The screen is also quite powerful all thanks to its 1920×1080 resolution. Let’s also keep in mind the fact that this is a 15.6-inch screen which is fully designed for an IPS display.
Indeed, it’s rare to come across a machine that houses all those features and still manages to deliver a great battery life. In that regard, the AN515-51-55WL provides you with a decent 8.5 hours of battery life.
And to make sure the machine doesn’t overheat when used for that long, you’re provided with dual fans.
The fans are powered by the latest Acer Coolboost technology which allows you to actively adjust the cooling process.
So, basically, this is a value-packed item. Its hard-edged design makes it sleek thereby providing you with a futuristic design. Above all, you also get a powerful audio system which is all you need to enjoy an immersive gaming experience.
Small qualms with the otherwise great sound system would be that the dual fans sometimes get a little too noisy. This might dampen the overall sound quality for you. Fortunately, the fan noise only occurs when the laptop is pushed to the limits.
Pros
- Looks great and feels nice
- Powerful housing for durability
- Runs like a dream even when used for CS:GO and PubG
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Its sound quality is often dampened by the noisy fans
Final Words
Normally, the lower the price of the laptop, the higher the chances of it having below-par features. However, as we’ve seen in the analysis above, some selected few machines clearly disobey this rule. Therefore, by investing in them, you’d end up getting high-end features at modest prices.
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