Affordable Gaming Laptops Offer Impressive Screen Quality: Discover Three Notable Options
Unfiltered Take:
You dig the HP Victus 16 for the bang-for-your-buck it offers, but the damn near unusable display just ain't cuttin' it. So, without further ado, here's alista of gaming laptops under your budget that'll make your gaming eyes pop.
Picking a gaming laptop on a budget ain't easy, but making the wrong choices could leave you stuck with a machine that fails to deliver. Don't let that happen, though. The question here is: should a stellar display be a non-negotiable feature in budget gaming laptops? I'd say yes, after test-driving the Victus 16, and these alternatives might interest you.
Budget: Display Matters, Damn It!
With so many specs to balance while shopping for a gaming laptop, it's easy to swing for lower display scores, thinking those minor compromises wouldn't sting. But if you don't got an external monitor throwing you a lifeline, then your laptop's display is your musketeer in the wars of graphics.
Nail a subpar screen, and the graphics ain't gonna look as good as they should on a laptop that packs a punch. Paying more for better graphics to wind up with a display that undermines it? That makes little sense.
In some instances, you can always upgrade the RAM or storage in gaming laptops after the purchase. But you sure as hell can't swap that screen. While our website recommends gamers aim for at least 1TB of storage, you might be better off sacrificing storage if that means scoring a better display. Want to up your storage later on? Save up for another SSD.
The Show Must Go On
The HP Victus 16 ain't all bad, especially considering its price-to-performance ratio. If what you're after is maxin' the performance without breaking the bank, it could be the one for you.
But if you've got your heart set on a sweet display, look elsewhere. The Victus 16 fell flat in all our display tests, and during our hands-on time, it looked visibly dull and lackin' in vibrancy. Lucky for you, here's a trio of options that'll keep that gaming experience screamin' and slammin'.
#1: The Dell G16 (7630)
The Dell G16 (7630) is the dictionary definition of value for your buck. For a jaw-droppin' $949, you can slide into this beauty boasting an Intel Core i7-1365HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
The cherry on top is the brilliant 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 display that crushed our tests. It notched up 114% in the DCI-P3 color gamut test, and that's impressive even for high-end laptops.
#2: The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 9)
Next up, holler at the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 9). Not only does it deliver on value, starting at an almost bargain $1,499, but it also comes equipped with an RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 GPU and a high-quality display.
The 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 IPS display boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and aced our DCI-P3 color gamut test with an average brightness of 500 nits. The Pro 5i also held its own in the performance arena, often out-pacing the Victus 16.
#3: The Acer Nitro 17
Last but certainly not least, give the Acer Nitro 17 a spin if you fancy a gaming laptop with a larger display. Sure, it ain't the lightest in town, but its 17-inch FHD display carves out an immersive gaming experience for a steal of $1,240. The less mighty RTX 4050 model can be found for even less.
Under this baby's hood lies an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Although it didn't score exceptionally high in our brightness tests, it's still a significant step up from the Victus 16's display.
That's a Wrap, Homie!
There ya' have 'em, folks! The HP Victus 16 ain't all bad, but if display quality is your game, check out these alternatives. They buzz the same budget, boast superior displays, and promise to take your gaming experience to the next level. Happy hunting!
Source Credits
- TechRadar: Best Budget Gaming Laptop
- Tom's Hardware: Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
- Digital Trends: Best Budget Gaming Laptops in 2023
- Tom's Guide: Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
- Tech Advisor: Best budget gaming laptops 2023
- CNET: Best budget gaming laptops to play PC games in 2023
- Laptop Mag: Best Budget Gaming Laptops for 2023
- If the display quality is non-negotiable for you, consider buying a gaming laptop that has a superior display, rather than settling for one with lower display scores.
- The HP Victus 16 might be a good option if you prioritize performance over display quality and don't mind a subpar screen.
- In the quest for a budget gaming laptop with a high-quality display, the Dell G16 (7630) offer a powerful Intel Core i7-1365HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, and a brilliant 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 display for just $949.
- The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 9) has a starting price of $1,499 and comes equipped with either an RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 GPU, a high-quality 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 IPS display, and managed impressive performance results.
- The Acer Nitro 17 provides an immersive gaming experience with its 17-inch FHD display, for only $1,240, making it a considerable upgrade from the HP Victus 16's display.
- While RAM and storage can be upgraded in some gaming laptops, it's not possible to replace the screen, so it's important to pay attention to the quality of the display when shopping on a budget.
- Instead of buying a laptop with smaller storage and a better display, it may be more beneficial to save up for another SSD later on, provided the display quality is a priority for you.
- If you're looking for alternative options that offer both performance and a superior display, consider investing in the Dell G16 (7630), Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 9), or Acer Nitro 17.
- Don't just take our word for it, research and compare to find the best budget gaming laptop with a superior display that fits your needs and budget by referring to various technology and gadgets review websites, such as TechRadar, Tom's Hardware, Digital Trends, Tom's Guide, Tech Advisor, CNET, and Laptop Mag.