All thanks to the ever so improved technology, manufacturers are now able to put powerful hardware into some of the thinnest and lightest chassis. Not just that, Nvidia’s Max-Q design has changed the present and the future of gaming laptops as well. You can now get a desktop graphics card in a laptop that you can carry in your backpack and the same goes for CPUs as well. The cooling is also being worked on and is slowly catching up. Needless to say, the best gaming laptop under 2000 can easily allow you to play all the games you want without any issues
Best Gaming Laptop Under 2000 – In-Depth Comparison Table
Best Gaming Laptop Under 2000
If you have been contemplating on how much you should be spending on a gaming laptop, I would say that a $2,000 laptop can easily play any games without a lot of compromises in the way. However, you will also have to consider your workflow and how you plan on using that laptop.
#1- Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop (Best Pick)
As far as gaming laptops are concerned, Acer has stepped up their game in the past couple of years, and their Predator lineup of laptops are amazing in every sense of the way. The Helios 300 laptop that I have my hands on today is a great option.
Equipped with Core i7-10750H Runs on Nvidia RTX 2060. 15.6” Full-HD IPS panel with 240Hz refresh rate. 16 gigs of DDR4 memory with 512GB NVMe SSD with two additional slots. 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard.
The laptop is excellent when it comes to gaming at 1080p. The 240Hz refresh rate screen is gorgeous. You can easily expand your storage with up to 3 drives. The design language is clean and tastefully done.
The chassis can get a bit hot under load. CPU performance is lacking in some tasks.
For anyone who is looking for a great laptop that can perform exceptionally well at 1080p, this is a great laptop for that. Not just that, the 240Hz screen that is accompanying the laptop complements the resolution perfectly for an amazing gaming experience. For those who want to have blazing fast storage on their laptop, Helios 300 brings space for up to three storage devices, and the overall design language has become a lot cleaner as compared to the predecessor, as well, which is a great change. The chassis can get a bit hot under load, and the CPU performance can be lacking in CPU-intensive tasks, but other than that, there is not a lot wrong with this laptop in the first place.
#2- ASUS ROG Zephyrus M Thin and Portable Gaming Laptop
Asus more or less changed the laptop market when they released the original Zephyrus. It was one of the laptops that were destined to deliver great performance, and while it did have some shortcomings, it solidified the fact that the feature is bold and daring. Overall, the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop is perhaps one of the most capable gaming laptops under the 2000 budget. It is exceptionally well-balanced for work and play, and the gorgeous screen is something you would not want to take your eyes off, to begin with. The RTX 2060 might feel like overkill but complements the super-fast refresh rate screen and delivers performance that would make your eyes want to keep looking at the screen.
Comes with RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU. Runs an Intel Core i9 9750H hexacore processor. 16GB DDR4 RAM running at 2,666 MHz and 1TB PCIe SSD. Pantone validated 240Hz full HD IPS panel.
The RTX 2070 delivers an absolute beast of a performance. The display looks sharp and colorful across the board. Surprisingly brilliant battery life for a gaming laptop. The price is one of the best things about it.
Can get toasty. The speakers are average at best.
In comes the ROG Zephyrus M Thin and Portable Gaming Laptop, and when I say that it is thin and portable, I mean it. This is one of the lightest and thinnest laptops I have seen, on top of that, a gaming laptop, for that matter. However, by some miracle, the build quality remains one of the sturdiest. Not just that, however; the high-quality keyboard with per-key backlighting, as well as a whopping and blazingly fast 1TB SSD are just a few cherries on top. Want more? Well, the Zephyrus M comes packed with a Max-Q design RTX 2070 along with Intel’s Core i9 9750H processor out of the box. This laptop is a beast in gaming, and you will not be disappointed by how good the experience is. True, there are some issues like the speakers being average at best or the laptop running hot, but those can be handled in one way or another.
#3- MSI GL65 Leopard Gaming Laptop
MSI’s foray into making gaming laptops ended up with success as they have managed to become one of the most prolific companies to step into the market. Granted, the start was a bit rocky, but as time had gone, MSI has proven to be the top player in the field. If you are looking for a laptop that just delivers top of the line performance without too many unnecessary quirks, then the ROG Zephyrus M Thin and Portable Gaming Laptop is the one you need in your life. During the testing, the laptop smashed through every single test I have put it through. It also managed to deliver fantastic battery life, which is rare for a gaming laptop with such powerful hardware under the hood.
15.6” FHD IPS display with 144Hz refresh rate. Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070. Intel Core i7-10750H. 512GB NVMe SSD and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. SteelSeries RGB keyboard with per-key lighting.
The hardware is impressive for the price you are paying. The 144Hz display is gorgeous to use and look at. The per-key backlighting allows for easier customization. The RTX 2070 GPU is an absolute monster in gaming.
By default, you are only getting a 512GB NVMe SSD, which might not be enough for a lot of people.
The MSI GL65 Leopard proves just that as it is one of the finest laptops available in the market. For starters, the laptop sports some serious hardware such as the RTX 2070, a gorgeous 144Hz display, a powerful Core i7 10750H, and super-fast storage, as well for all your needs. The great thing is that the entirety of the hardware works in perfect harmony and not just that, the per-key backlighting can be the feature that everyone wants for a better experience. The RTX 2070 delivers exceptional performance and complements the screen as well. On the flip side, the only issue I have with this otherwise amazing laptop is that the storage option of just 512GB is not as high, considering how most modern games are now above 100GB when they are downloaded.
#4- Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
Razer has spent a better part of their presence in the market, releasing some great peripherals but everyone had the impression that the company is just charging a premium for stuff that is not half as good. After going through many directional changes, Razer has emerged as the top player in the field. Simply put, if you want something that delivers on all fronts, but you are not in the mood to spend a lot of money, then the MSI GL65 Leopard is what you should be getting as it is not just affordable, but also great when it comes to the overall delivery. Granted, the lack of more storage might be a problem for some people, but it will never come in the way if you upgrade.
100% sRGB, factory calibrated, anti-glare 144Hz display. Supports both SSD and HDD expansion with expandable RAM as well. Per-key RGB lighting. Sports an Intel Core i7 9750H. 512GB SSD paired with 16GB DDR4 RAM. Runs RTX 2060 out of the box.
The design is gorgeous to look at. The performance in both graphics and productivity remains great. The battery life remains solid. Super-fast transfer speeds.
The display is dimmer than average. The speakers are on the weaker side.
The Razer Blade 15 delivered fantastic options for those who are looking into getting PC gaming. However, at the same time, Razer conjured up a design that looked a lot less gamer-oriented and a lot more professional. The result was this amazing laptop with a great design, but that wasn’t it, the company packed it with some of the finest hardware at the time of release for amazing performance in productivity and gaming at the same time. Couple that with solid battery life and blazing fast transfer speeds, and you have got your hands on one of the best gaming laptops available in the market, and for a great price. But there are a few corners that are still cut. For starters, the weak audio and slightly dimmer than average display are the only issues with this laptop but don’t let that stop you from what this laptop is capable of, which is everything.
#5- Alienware M17 R3 Gaming Laptop
Alienware is one of those companies that do not require an introduction, thanks to the legacy they have created. Whether you are a PC gamer or not, it should not come as a surprise that the name Alienware is something that everyone has heard at some point in their life. At the hindsight, the Razer Blade 15 is something that might not look like it can break the speed barrier, but thanks to Razer, the laptop makes some serious hardware under the hood. If you are looking for great performance in every task you throw at it, this is the laptop you need to get.
17.3” FHD display with 300Hz refresh rate. Sports a Core i7-10750H. 16GB DDR4 RAM with 1TB SSD. RTX 2070 with 8GB VRAM. AlienFX Lighting for proper customization.
The laptop looks stunning. The graphics performance remains impressive overall. The FHD display with a 300Hz refresh rate is great to have. The keyboard is comfortable to type on.
The battery life is average at best.
The Alienware m17 R3 is here to change the game for gaming laptops as it brings top of the line specs, including an attractive and lightweight design which allows you to carry the laptop with ease. The graphics and overall performance as well remains impressive. You are also getting a laptop that boasts a gorgeous 300Hz display that is top of the line in colors and sharpness. For the writers, the keyboard is super comfortable and will allow you to have the experience you want when it comes to typing. The only issue that I can confirm with this laptop is the below-average battery life, but considering the 4K screen and the rest of the powerful hardware packed into this chassis, it more than makes sense.
#6- Asus ROG Strix Scar II Gaming Laptop
When Asus started branching their Strix lineup out to laptops, it was a great sign. This showed that Asus can make more affordable and accessible laptops, and that is exactly what they have done with the Asus ROG Strix Scar II Gaming Laptop, and we are not minding this at all. The Alienware m17 R3 is the laptop of choice for those who are not concerned about the price they are going to have to pay. It delivers fantastic performance on all fronts and not just that, it looks fantastic while doing so. Granted, the 300Hz refresh rate display might be overkill for some, but if you are looking to play e-sports FPS titles, then you can make use of every single extra frame that you are going to get from this laptop. Needless to say, whether it is work or play, this laptop is not going to let you down in any way.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 with 8GB VRAM. 15.6” FHD display with 144Hz refresh rate. Packs a Core i7-8750H Hexa-core processor. 16GB DDR4 RAM with 512GB PCIe SSD. Gigabit Wave 2 WiFi 5 and quad antennas.
The design looks gorgeous. The panel is colorful with a 144Hz refresh rate. The keyboard is solid and typing on it is excellent. The graphic performance remains one of the stands out features.
The audio is mediocre at best. The webcam is at the bottom bezel.
I will be honest, at first, I was a bit skeptical because their top of the line ROG lineup has remained untouchable, but the Scar II is so good that it makes you think twice, which is exactly what a more budget-oriented user wants in the first place. The great thing about this laptop is that it leaves the boring looks of other laptops behind and has one of the best looking designs I have seen on a gaming laptop. Not just that, the colorful, bright, and gorgeous 144Hz display is just another cherry on the top. If you are someone who loves to type away, you would be glad to get a great keyboard as well. Last but not the least, the graphical horsepower is more than enough to deliver exceptionally balanced performance that will allow you to outplay anyone. I have only a few issues with the laptop, and that mainly refers to having the webcam on the bottom bezel, and the audio is average at best.
#7- Omen by HP 2019 17-Inch Gaming Laptop
HP is not a new player in the market, wherein they have released some of the finest laptops in the market so far. However, the modern-day rendition of their laptops is slowly focusing on gaming laptops as well. That is why HP is doing well in the gaming laptop segment, as well. Overall, the Asus ROG Strix Scar II Gaming Laptop is something that you should be looking at if you are looking for a good gaming laptop. I know I have said this numerous times, but Asus’ commitment to providing you with excellent performance is appreciated. The company has tried on every instance to make matters easier for the gamers and the Scar II is a top of the line gaming laptop for everyone.
Desktop grade Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. 17.3” FHD display with 144Hz refresh rate. Equipped with Intel Core i7 9750H. 16GB DDR4 RAM coupled with 256GB NVMe storage and 1TB HDD.
The desktop-grade RTX 2080 is a great card to have. The powerful CPU is great for all compute tasks. The display looks gorgeous. You are getting a pretty decent keyboard.
The thick plastic chassis can be off-putting. The subpar battery life a letdown.
The Omen by HP 2019 17-Inch Gaming Laptop is one of many amazing gaming laptops HP has released over a couple of years, and it manages to deliver exceptional performance throughout. The great thing about this laptop is that if you are in search of a solid overall performer, this is it. The strong gaming and CPU performance is complemented by the beautiful 144Hz screen, and it is a treat to enjoy. The keyboard itself is excellent to use as well, and the laptop is priced adequately. With so much good things aside, it is sad to say that the laptop has aplastic chassis. That, and the battery is average at best, which is a letdown considering how gaming laptops have improved their battery performance by a drastic measure.
#8- ASUS ROG Zephyrus S Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop
The last laptop on the list is again from Asus, but this time, this is one of the most powerful options available in the market, and I am not ashamed to tell you that if you want performance without having regards for the budget, this is what to get. The thing with Omen by HP 2019 17-Inch Gaming Laptop is that it is one of the best options available in the market for the price. You are not going to be let down in any way, and you will be able to get the gaming performance you want in the first place.
Packs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070. 512 gigs of PCIe NVMe SSD and 16 gigs of RAM. 15.6” FHD display with 144Hz display. 0.62 inches thin and 4.6 pounds heavy chassis made out of military-grade magnesium alloy.
The light and thin design are gorgeous to look at and hold. The display remains one of the best looking. The audio remains solid in all cases. The performance is great in both gaming and productivity tasks.
The keyboard can be a bit uncomfortable.
Yes, I am indeed talking about the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop. This laptop has managed to gain the attention of almost everyone and for all the right reasons, too. Just look at it and you will know what I am talking about. Starting with the stunningly thin and light design to a gorgeous display that just oozes brilliance. You also have superb audio which is a big thing for a good gaming laptop or a laptop, in general. Moving on, the performance remains powerful and not just in games. Yes, the Zephyrus is a beast of a laptop in both productivity and gaming tasks, so you can be at peace knowing you will get a great experience through and through. Honestly, at this point, the only disappointment that I noticed is that the keyboard is uncomfortable, which makes sense due to how the laptop is shaped.
How To Select The Best Gaming Laptop Under 2000
Now that we have gone through all the amazing gaming laptops under 2000, the next step is to help the readers look at the buying guide that will further aid them in making the right purchase. With so much to choose from, being confused is only part of the game. If you are looking for a laptop that is made for pretty much everything, then the good news is that you can easily get your hands on this laptop without having to worry about anything that could come in the way. The Zephyrus S is the keyboard to go for if it is fun and performance you want. I am going to cover every known aspect that will only make it easier for you to make the right purchase without spending too much time dwelling on the options. Let’s not waste more time and start looking at what buying decisions you will have to make.
Storage (HDD/SDD) Is Your First Thing
Let us start by considering the very common factor that is often overlooked when we are talking about gaming laptops or laptops in general, and that is about the storage of the laptop. When you are getting your hands on the option you want, you will have to choose between SSD/HDD or have both. Normally, the laptops that are equipped with a single high-speed SSD is more than enough as compared to having an HDD, as well. Simply because an HDD is just another added weight, and we are trying to avoid that in the first place. Make sure that your storage specific requirements are met before you go ahead with the whole process
The Processor Is Good Enough
The next logical step is to be certain that the laptop you are buying has a good processor. There is no point in buying a powerful gaming laptop with an average at the best processor. Thankfully, that is now a rarity because these are not custom-built, so the chances are always low. Almost all the gaming laptops have processors that complement that actual graphics card. Which means that there is no bottlenecking whatsoever, and you can enjoy your games with ease. Any processor that is ranging from an 8th generation Core i7 to a 10th generation Core i7 is going to more than adequate. Still, it would be ideal that you are checking the specs in detail and see the performance details on the internet so you can have a proper understanding.
Graphics Card Is Powerful To Run Games
Aside from a good processor, perhaps the most essential thing that you are going to need when it comes to buying a new gaming laptop is a powerful graphics card. After all, without the proper horsepower from the graphical unit, you are left without any experience that matters. Thankfully, finding a good graphics card is not going to be a problem of any sorts. In most conditions, you will be getting an RTX 2060 or above, which is just fine. You also have to understand that most of the laptops will come equipped with 1080p displays with a high refresh rate. Anything like an RTX 2060 or even a higher-end model is going to have no issues whatsoever. Still, if you are looking to do more than just playing games the laptop you are getting your hands on, I would suggest that you go for a higher-end GPU like an RTX 2080 because that would be more appropriate.
Good Battery Life
Now here is a really important factor that you should be aware of. Gaming laptops were never known for having a good battery life. However, that is drastically changed in modern laptops as they have slowly become better and better at what they do. If you are looking for a gaming laptop with a good battery, you should have a lot of issues coming in the way. But be sure that you are referring to the reviews before deciding because that is going to help you more. Thankfully, you can easily get 8 to 10 hours of battery life in a good gaming laptop, but at the same time, some options are simply not going to be able to keep up as far as the battery timing is concerned. So, it is better that you are being careful about this whole ordeal.
RAM And Video RAM
Gaming laptops have become a lot more powerful as compared to the older days. You can now go ahead and upgrade a lot of different aspects of your gaming laptop, as well. For instance, the ability to upgrade RAM is just one of many options available. Now, the good news is that most of the gaming laptops that you are going to run into when you are in the market looking for something, you will have 16 gigs of RAM available right out of the box. However, you can upgrade RAM in most cases, so there is nothing to worry about. As far as video RAM, you are tied to what you are being offered by your graphics card, which can range from 6 to 8 gigs; which is going to be enough for gaming.
Ports And Connectivity Options
One more thing that you are going to have to be very considerate about is that you are going to look for the number of ports and connectivity options that are available in the gaming laptop of your choice. As far as connectivity is concerned, you are going to get options such as WiFi and Bluetooth out of the box. But when you are talking about connectivity options, that is something that varies from laptop to laptop. You might find something that is offering more USB ports, and at the same time, you might find something that is offering different ports such as inputs for display. So, the choice is entirely yours whenever you are in the market looking for a laptop.
Resolution
Moving onto another important thing and that is going to be the resolution of the laptop you are buying. You will have to be certain that the laptop you are buying offers at least full HD resolution. It would be impossible to find something that is of a lower resolution. With that said, you can find laptops with 4K resolution but only go for those if you have a higher-end GPU in your laptop like the RTX 2080 because anything lower than that might not be able to perform the way you want it to perform. Rest assured, you should not have any problems whenever you are trying to find a great gaming laptop with a good resolution screen. As a matter of fact, in the budget, you have the option to go for laptops with high refresh rate screens, which is even better. You can close your eyes and pick the laptop you want, and it will deliver the performance you are looking to get in the first place.
Question 1: What Is The Best Gaming Laptop In 2000?
At the given price tag, the best laptop you can buy is the Razer Blade 15 simply because the laptop packs the RTX 2080, which in my opinion is the best GPU that you can have in a laptop at the time of writing.
Question 2: Are Gaming Laptops Under $2000 Good Enough for AAA Titles?
This is one of the most asked questions, and that pertains to whether your laptop is going to be enough for AAA games. Yes, $2,000 is more than enough for AAA titles. We have played a lot of them on our own on these laptops without any issues.
Question 3: Should I Buy A Gaming Laptops Under $2000?
Yes, you definitely should buy a gaming laptop under $2000. Not only is it a great budget, but you will have a lot of options to choose from. There are not going to be any issues coming in the way, either.
