Best Gaming Laptops Under 2500 Dollars: December 2019 Buyers’ Guide!

While desktop PCs are still considered the norm for most gamers, the trend has undergone a few changes in the last few years, with new high end gaming laptops released every now and then. With the ever-developing technology when it comes to graphic cards, it’s not difficult to find a rather portable solution for your gaming, without renouncing on performance. But when it comes to high end gaming laptops,  it can be quite hard to choose a model over another. To help you make the best decision, we’ve selected some  of the best gaming laptops under 2500 dollars available right now.

How to choose a gaming laptop?

Usually the price of gaming laptop ranges between $800 for entry level gaming laptops to $3000 or more for the most high-end models. For gaming laptops, paying more usually means getting more powerful specs that are capable of running the newest titles at the highest settings.  As you might imagine for yourself, there’s a wide spectrum of possibilities that you’re going to choose depending on your needs, and of course, your budget. But since you’re looking for a gaming laptop under 2500 dollars, chances is that you already have a good enough budget, and that you’re willing to pay a little extra in order to get the best gaming performance. So, what kind of gamer are you? Are you into indie and casual games, or into the experimental fields of VR and the latest technologies? Let’s find out some of the things to consider when buying a new gaming laptop.

When buying a gaming laptop, keep in mind that you’re taking on a full station, display and keyboard included. While there’s still space for adding more RAM and swapping out the hard drive, that’s far from what you can do on a desktop. However, a laptop offers mobility, which probably why you’re here in the first place. And that’s why we thought about including a quick buyer’s guide for gaming laptops, in order to help you pick one that’s going to back you up for a few years at least.

So, here are some of the main features that you MUST check carefully when buying a gaming laptop:

• The CPU: The CPU is not the key feature in a gaming laptop, although you’re not going to be able to upgrade it. We wouldn’t recommend going any lower than an Intel Core i5 processor. The new quad-core or Octa-core 9^th generation of Intel CPUs, that is the latest, is the best for multitasking and occasional productivity on the side; but for gaming, 8th generation processor also perform very well.

• RAM and Storage: RAM and storage space are specs that you might consider upgrading in the future. In most cases, this is not a tough choice. The minimum recommended amount of RAM for modern gaming laptops is 8 GB, even though 16 GB is the better solution for more demanding games. Then, gaming laptops traditionally come with a large HDD for installing your software. SSDs are a little bit pricier, but they allow for faster loading time and starting up your system in just a few seconds. It’s not difficult to find hybrid solutions, with a 128 GB SSD as a boot drive and a 1 TB HDD for the storage space. But then, there’s plenty of space for upgrading in this department.

• The GPU: The GPU is easily the most important feature in a gaming laptop, so you better pick carefully. Here, we’re going to review laptops coming with the popular 10-series, the new 16-series and the high-end 20-series by Nvidia. There’s plenty of choices here, for all kinds of budgets and needs. Currently, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 is the least one to offer basic VR support, so that’s recommended if you don’t want to cut yourself out of the newer experiences. However, the current generation is the RTX series. Here is a little help on choosing the best graphics card for your needs:

-Entry-level gaming: If you’re a casual gamer and  don’t need to play at the highest settings, you can go for a GTX 1650, which will let you play most games at medium settings. You can also consider a GTX 1660 Ti for more power. Both of these cards are quite affordable, which means that they can be found in gaming laptops that are priced under $1000.

-Mainstream Gaming: If you like to play games at the highest setting, consider an NVIDIA RTX 2060. It’s also considered the minimum standard for virtual reality, so it’s the lowest you should go for if you’re looking for a laptop for Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

-VR and the Highest Settings: For playing demanding games, or playing in 4K,  consider an RTX 2070, or the RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti , which are the most powerful 20-series cards out there and will allow for smoother VR and special effects.Usually, these cards are featured in gaming laptops that cost more than $2000.

To save some money, you can also buy a laptop that comes with a GTX card, which is the previous generation. Although they were released in 2016, GTX cards such as the 1060, 1070 or 1080 still offer a great gaming performance, even with demanding games such as Forza Horizon 4, GTA 5, or Assassin’s Creed. However, since you’re shopping for a high end gaming laptop, you’d better spend a little bit more and invest in something that’s going to last you a few years, without feeling outdated.

• The display: Most gaming laptops come in either a 15” size or a 17” one. Of course, bigger screen sizes are going to impact on the weight of the device, thus the portability. For a gaming machine, don’t go lower than a Full HD (1920×1080) display. Notable machines at this resolution allow for a higher refresh rate, up to 144Hz, for a smoother gaming experience. On the other side, higher resolution screens, like 2K and 4K, top at 60Hz. They’re also more demanding on the GPU. For the display, you’re going to make a compromise between resolution and refresh rate.

• The keyboard: Last but not the least, you’re going to need a keyboard that is suitable for the occasional aggressive play. The best keyboards come with over 1.5mm of key travel, that is how far down you can press a key. Look out for the more advanced RGB backlighting, with the possibility to customize it key by key.

Best Gaming Laptops Under $2500

So, now that you have an idea what to consider when buying a high end gaming laptop, here are some of the best gaming laptops under 2500 dollars available right now. We have tried to include laptops for different budgets, and if you have a question or suggestion feel free to ask us in the comments!

• Omen by HP 17-cb0050nr

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One of the most affordable laptop with an RTX 2080 available right now, the Omen by HP 17-cb0050nr is definitely an excellent value if you’re looking for the most bang for your bucks. The Omen by HP 17-cb0050nr features an i7-9750H Processor,16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD and a 1 TB HDD, and a VR Ready NVIDIA RTX 2080 with 8GB of video memory. Not only can the Omen 17-cb0050nr play your favorite games at their highest settings, but it’s also an amazing desktop replacement if you’re into video editing, 3D modelling, or simply want a big display laptop to watch some movies.

And speaking of the display, the Omen 17-cb0050nr features a 17,3 inch full HD IPS display, that has a refresh rate of 144hz, which is not only great for gaming; but you will also notive the difference when doing other tasks.

There is also a wide amount of ports, including 3 USB ports, HDMI and Minidisplay, Ethernet, and a USB-C/thunderbolt 3 port. The Omen 17-cb0050nr  is by far one of the best gaming laptops under $2500 available right now, and actually, it has better spec than some more expensive laptops; and that’s why it is on top of our list!

• ASUS TUF FX505DV-PB74
  

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Second on our list, the ASUS TUF FX505DV-PB74 is one of the best mid range 15 inch gaming laptops to consider. This laptop features a quad-core AMD Ryzen 7 R7-3750H, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD , and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, that is capable of playing even some demanding games in mid to high settings.

One of the main advantages of the TUF FX505DV-PB74 is the display quality, and in particular, the 120Hz refresh rate, which is a great feature to have. Considering its price, the ASUS TUF FX505DV-PB74 offers quite a few other goodies, including an RGB keyboard, an the rather slim design.

Battery life is however very average, but that’s totally understandable for a gaming laptop of this range. In short, if you’re looking for a great gaming laptop with an AMD processor, then definitely shortlist the ASUS TUF FX505DV-PB74!

• GIGABYTE AERO 15 Classic-SA-F74ADW

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The GIGABYTE AERO 15 Classic-SA-F74ADW is one of the best gaming laptops under 2500 you can find.  The Aero 15 features an 8^th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. It comes with the dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, and a 144hz display. This laptop is also a great choice if you’re looking for a laptop that you can use both for work and gaming.

The Aero 15 is your choice to go if you’re not into aggressive looking laptops. This machine is easily one of the slimmest models in this list, for the ones among you that prefer the added portability value. Unlike many gaming laptops out there, the Aero 15 offers up to nine hours of untethered productivity. Then, you’ll enjoy an immersive view experience with plenty of customization options, thanks to the RGB per-key backlighting.

• ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX531GW-AS76
  

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Next, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX531GW-AS76 is an ultra-slim 15.6” Full HD gaming laptop, with an experimental chassis design, a refreshing view in the laptops market. The IPS display has a refresh rate of 144Hz. The Zephyrus S features an 8^th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. It comes with a dedicated NVidia GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, that is suitable for more demanding games.

The Zephyrus S has a good looking, RGB customizable keyboard, with a trackpad that also serves as a digital numeric keypad. You’re advised, you’re going to fall in love with the all metal chassis design.

• Alienware M17

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At a slightly higher price, the Alienware M17 is another thin and relatively lightweight 17,3” Full HD gaming laptop, with a narrow bezels design and a 144Hz refresh rate display. It features an 8^th generation Intel Core i7-8750H processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD coupled with 1 TB of HDD space. This laptop is also equipped with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max Q . Alienware have always been known for their laptops designed for hardcore gaming, and the M17 is no exception. So, if you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop under 2500 dollars, the M17 should be on your short list.

Alienware has always had a big presence in the gaming scene, with on the top builds and perks by manufacturer Dell. The M17 has taken a bold turn in the portability direction, packing remarkable gaming assets in a thin magnesium alloy chassis. It also offers plenty of customization on the keyboard department. And, you can actually compare different graphics card and choose the one that suits you the most in the purchase phase.

• MSI GS65 Stealth-007

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Next, we recommend the MSI GS65 Stealth-007, a thin 15.6” Full HD gaming laptop, with a narrow bezel design and a display with 144Hz of refresh rate. It features a hexa-core 8^th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. It’s packed with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, straight from the latest 20-series.

While MSI is known for delivering thick and aggressive looking laptops, the Stealth series is proof they can handle the thin and portable design too. The Stealth-007 has a matte black finish, an RGB customizable backlit keyboard and plenty of connectivity options, with the latest Thunderbolt 3 ports. The silky glass touchpad is another nice feature, enabling for more space, responsiveness and more than ten gestures optimized with Windows 10.

• Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75L8

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The Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75L8 is another thin and light gaming laptop, featuring a 15.6” Full HD display with 144Hz of refresh rate. The specs are an 8^th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. The dedicated graphics card is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q, one of the most powerful you can get in a laptop. That’s guaranteed to let you play the most demanding games up to date.

The Triton 500 offers plenty of features for its value, all in a 0.7” thin profile. It comes with the G-Sync feature, that links the GPU directly to the display for an even smoother gaming experience. Of course, it’s also packed with a nice RGB customizable backlit keyboard.

• Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
  

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We cannot make a gaming laptops list without including a Razer Blade gaming laptop. And here we have the Razer Blade 15,  a gaming laptop that offers a sharp and minimal design like no other. It’s packed with an 8^th generation hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. The dedicated graphics card is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q, one of the best in the market for VR gaming. And thanks to its 144Hz display, the Razer Blade 15 is one of the best gaming laptops under 2500 you can find.

This 0.7” thin laptop is just to fall in love for, featuring a large and RGB backlit customizable keyboard. The Blade 15 offers the latest connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 3 ports. It’s also easily upgradable, up to 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage space. That is enough for you to keep on track in the next few years. Crafted in a single aluminum body, the Blade 15 is a laptop that we recommend both for gamers as for creative designers out there.

• Lenovo Legion Y740

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The Y740 is another stunning pc from Lenovo’s gaming Legion series. Priced under 2500 dollars, this laptop offers great value for the money, and comes with a a 17.3” Full HD display with 144Hz of refresh rate, G-SYNC, and a narrow bezel design. It’s packed with an 8^th generation hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It also features the New Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 dedicated graphics card, for playing the latest and most demanding titles.

Despite its big display, The Legion Y740 is just 0. 91 thin, which is relatively compact compared to some other 17 inch laptops out there. There’s nothing you could go wrong with this one, if you wish for a larger view on your alternate realities.

• ASUS ROG Zephyrus GX501VI-XS74

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For those of you looking for a good deal and don’t necessarily care about getting the latest NVIDIA GPU, the ASUS ROG ZephyrusGX501VI-XS74 is a smart option to consider. This laptop comes with a 7th generation Intel Core i7-7700HQprocessor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It comes with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q graphics card, which is still one of the most powerful GPUs out there.

ROG Zephyrus’s 120Hz display lets you enjoy exceptionally smooth gaming at a true 120 frames per second. It also features NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, which synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate to make game play silky smooth.

• MSI GE75 Raider-048

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Last, the MSI GE75 Raider-048 is arguably one of the best gaming laptops under 2500 you can get. This 17 inch gaming rig features an 8^th generation Intel Core i7 8750H  processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and an additional 1 TB of HDD storage, offering plenty of local space for your installations. It’s packed with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 dedicated graphics card, that is guaranteed to tackle the AAA games out there, while also being VR ready. Like other competitors, the Raider-048 features a Full HD display with narrow bezels and a refresh rate of 144Hz.

This beast offers all that you could wish for in a mobile gaming rig, having an impressive price per value. It also comes with a RGB backlit customizable keyboard and the latest connectivity options, with a Thunderbolt 3 port included. That’s just the best of the best in the 17.3” department!