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Best HP Gaming Laptops for Any Budget
Dan Marzullo
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June 30, 2018
When it comes to gaming on a laptop, it’s not always whether you win or lose - it’s whether your device can give you the experience you deserve.
Serious and casual gamers alike need and deserve a laptop that can truly perform so you can experience the latest and best games as intended. The problem is that gaming laptops can be prohibitively expensive, and we know you have other bills to pay.
But do you really need to ruin your budget to get the best gaming laptop? Not at all. With our help, you can find a laptop with the specs you need at the price you want.
Best HP gaming laptops under $1,000
If your budget sits at a maximum of $1,000 and you think that may restrict what you can do with your gaming laptop, think again. We have powerful options available that won’t break the bank while letting you play the games you’ve had on your radar.
HP OMEN 15-Inch Gaming Laptop
With the right sale, you can snag the HP OMEN 15-inch laptop for just under a grand, and it comes loaded with everything serious gamers need. The HP OMEN 15t’s specs include 8GB of memory, an Intel® Core™ i7 processor, a 1TB hard-drive, and an NVIDIA ® GeForce® GTX 1050Ti.
You’ll also experience incredible clarity and color on the laptop’s 15.6-inch display, which boasts a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
IPS tech guarantees wider viewing angles, and the WLED backlight is energy-efficient for long gaming sessions.
And it’s the only member of the HP OMEN family that you can often score for under $1,000.
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
Check out the HP Pavilion Gaming notebook, which at $799.99 is a frugal gamer’s favorite.
It comes loaded with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, 8GB DDR4 of RAM, and 1TB hard-drive to store all of your games, not to mention the impressive 15.6-inch display.
You can also upgrade most of those specs, particularly the graphics card (the AMD Radeon™ RX 560 comes stock), but just be careful about not going over budget.
That being said, you can move up to an i7 processor and an NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050Ti card without putting too much more additional stress on your wallet.
HP ENVY x360 Convertible Laptop
The HP ENVY x360 15-inch laptop also features a 15.6-inch screen, but it’s convertible with a 360-degree hinge that allows for four different usage modes. In terms of power, the HP ENVY is a great choice for more modest titles and older games, but you can still play some of the latest options under the right graphics settings.
The HP ENVY x360 15t is powered by 8GB of memory, an 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, and an NVIDIA® GeForce® MX150 graphics card that pairs with a Full HD (FHD) touch screen display, 1TB hard drive, 16GB of Intel® Optane™ memory to keep everything running smoothly, including your next multiplayer match.
HP ENVY 13-Inch Laptop
Retailing at just under $1,000, the HP ENVY 13-inch laptop runs on the latest Intel® Core™ processors in an ultra-slim notebook-style body. We call it an “enviably engineered” option, because it includes a micro-edge display to quickly and seamlessly connect to your preferred gaming keyboard.
The 13.3-inch Full HD (FHD) screen is a compact but comfortable display for gamers on-the-go. And if you can push your budget a bit further - or you happen to find this on sale - you can push this little machine a bit further. For $250 more, you can prepare yourself for the more performance-heavy games by getting the NVIDIA® GeForce® MX150 (2GB) and 16GB of RAM.
HP ENVY x2 Detachable Laptop
The HP ENVY laptop family also includes the more mobile and flexible HP ENVY x2, a 2-in-1 laptop that has up to 22 hours of battery life. It can also connect to the web via 4G LTE, making this durable and lightweight laptop that much more portable.
The HP ENVY x2’s crisp, 12.3-inch Full HD (FHD+) display runs on a Qualcomm® Adreno™ 540 GPU card. While it may not be ideal for the latest and most graphics-intensive games out there, it’s a strong choice for casual gamers who also need to multitask with their new laptop.
Best HP gaming laptops under $1,500
If you’re looking to spend a little more on your new gaming laptop, HP® offers an amazing variety of models from $1,000 to $1,500. Let’s take a look at what’s available in this price range.
HP OMEN 17-Inch Gaming Laptop
When it comes to gaming laptops, our HP OMEN series is a force to be reckoned with. They’re tailor-made for hardcore gamers, and it shows in the details like the backlit keyboard and top-tier cooling system. But that all goes double for the HP OMEN 17-inch laptop, the larger (17.3-inch FHD screen) and more powerful version of the HP OMEN 15t.
You’ll dominate the competition and the latest AAA titles with ease thanks to the HP OMEN 17t’s impressive specs, which only get stronger the more you customize it. At just under $1,500, you get an Intel® Core™ i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 graphics card. It also has a 1TB hard-drive to store your games, and all the ports you’d need to hook up a curved gaming monitor and peripherals. With this HP OMEN laptop, your opponents won’t know what hit them.
HP Spectre x2 Detachable Laptop
The HP Spectre x2 12-inch laptop is a little powerhouse with a 10.44 mm chassis, full keyboard, and ultra-durable 3.5 mm stainless steel kickstand with 165 degree rotation, which makes it a stunning option. It’s also incredibly mobile thanks to its light weight (less than 2.5 lbs), sharp but slim screen (12.3 inches), and 10-hour battery life with fast-charging capabilities.
Beyond being able to easily transport the HP Spectre x2, you’ll feel its power thanks to the 7th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor. This provides the speed and efficiency you need alongside the Intel® Iris™ Plus Graphics 640 to bring your favorite games to life.
HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop
The HP Spectre x360 15-inch laptop is the more powerful cousin of the HP Spectre x2, and you can thank its cutting-edge specs for that honor. You’ll love the way your games look on the 15.6-inch 4K micro-edge touch screen display, which is fueled by an 8th generation Intel processor, NVIDIA® GeForce® MX150 graphics card, and 8GB of memory.
Those options are included with the base model, but you can spend a bit more to upgrade for even higher performance. Whichever custom configuration you choose, dedicated gamers get everything they need, including super-fast storage in the 256GB SSD, all in one dazzling package.
HP ENVY 17-Inch Laptop
The HP ENVY 17-inch touch screen laptop is essentially the big brother to the previously mentioned HP ENVY 13t. And while its retail price is typically just above $1,500, you can often find it on sale for less. You can also customize its appearance (silk gold or natural silver finish) and enjoy your games (and other entertainment) on the beautiful 17.3-inch Ultra High Definition (UHD) display.
Look inside and you’ll find all the specs you need: 16GB of RAM, an 8th Generation Intel® Core™processor, and an NVIDIA® GeForce 940MX graphics card. Despite its power, the HP ENVY 17t has a long-lasting battery life (up to 14 hours), so you won’t have to worry about rushing to find an outlet during your next epic online battle.
Protect your investment
No matter which HP gaming laptop you choose, we recommend making sure that you safeguard your investment. This applies not just to the laptop itself, but also the games you’ve purchased over the years.
You can help protect your new device by following the best practices in online safety:
- Take advantage of two-factor authentication when available
- Regularly change your passwords and make them extra strong
- Ensure virus protection and firewall software is adequate and updated
By following these tips, you can help stave off potential intruders looking to access your game library, financial information, and other personal data.
You may also choose to take advantage of our various PC protection plans, which can cover your device for two years from the purchase date with varying service options. Be sure to check out HP Care Pack and warranty options to see how we can bring you extra peace of mind when gaming or performing everyday activities on your laptop.
Time to upgrade?
When you’re perusing gaming laptop options, you’ll no doubt realize that you have opportunities to spend a bit more to get a bit more. You may push your budget further to upgrade to the biggest screen size available, or you may be more interested in getting a laptop with the best built-in speakers and audio.
Whatever the case, we know that your gaming laptop is the most powerful tool in your quest to dominate your favorite game. That’s why HP® provides you with the best possible gaming PC options, so you’re going into virtual battle equipped with your weapon of choice.
The gaming laptop you choose can make all the difference in your performance. You’ll win more, score faster and have more fun doing it. And if you’re a serious gamer who participates in competitions or livestreams your sessions, the right laptop makes sure your skills are on full display for all to see.
If you’re still trying to get by with an old PC or a laptop not designed with gamers in mind, you're missing out. There’s no need to break your budget when HP® has so many affordable gaming laptop models to choose from.
The best players need the best hardware to win, so isn’t it time you upgraded?
For the win
HP® has consistently released some of the best gaming laptops around for years. We make sure that every new model is an improvement upon the last as technology continues to advance. It’s for these reasons that we’ve partnered with the best collaborators in the world like Intel® and Bang & Olufsen, to give gamers the strongest, most awe-inspiring products available. New games are always rolling out and new tech is always on the horizon, and HP® is committed to leading the pack so you can too.
We also consider the needs and requests of our customers when releasing new models. Those needs include price, which is why we frequently work to provide sales and discounts on even some of our most coveted gaming PCs, which is why we believe you can get the best gaming laptop for under $1,500 and, in some cases, even under $1,000 directly from HP®.
We take gaming just as seriously as you do, and you deserve the best. Let HP® help you level up.
About the Author: Dan Marzullo is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dan produces strategic marketing content for startups, digital agencies, and established brands. His work can be found in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, YFS Magazine, and many other media outlets.
