I'm a student who studies but I also game when I can and I need a machine that can do both. I need a cheap affordable laptop with a long lasting battery and one that can handle and run some triple A titles. Games that I play might include PUBG, Fortnite, NFS Payback etc. I think a gtx1050/1050ti wont be future proof so I need something with a little more power. Ram should be 8-16 Gbs and I7 processor. I know its relatively hard to find such a machine but I trust that there are some pretty good machines that give you a good performance for your dollar. Is there any hope for me? and what is your best recommendation at this price point? $1500 is the furthest i could go. I only have $1000 right now.
I Need a Budget Gaming Laptop $1,000 - $1,250 with a Gtx1060?
LTheBlackPanther on 09/04/2018 - 17:13
Comments
I probably should of added this earlier but I dont mind the gpu being a max Q version, in fact I prefer it because of its efficiency. Good battery life is important to me. Im hoping for at least 5 hours on casual use like web browsing, watching a movie or on word no gaming and at least 2 hours+ on gaming.
Gaming PC and little laptop tbh, you won't find a laptop with long battery life, especially with a dedicated gpu. those long life ones are for light use like one tab open on chrome.
Cmon man you cant tell me theres not a single laptop with all the models out there from asus, dell, hp, acer etc that can at least hold charge for 5 hours just using chrome with the settings down. Like the brightness. Surely having multiple tabs open isnt that intensive of a task for a cpu with a 7700 in it. I likely wont be gaming in uni unless im in the library with a wall socket near by.
$1,000 - $1,250 isn't enough if you want a long-lasting battery. At that price range, your going to be looking a MAX Q variant of the 1060 and not Desktop card. Gaming on the battery will only last maybe 1 hour.
I have an Alienware 15 R3 with the Desktop 1060 GPU and also paid for the max battery upgrade which is 62W to 99W and can only play for around 2 hours.
I used to have a 15R3 with 1060 and the smaller battery. It barely lasted. Even when doing word processing/etc I was happy to even get 2-2.5 hours. It didn't have Optimus though (Gsync panel).
I could get around 6 hours of web browsing and word processing with; CPU Full performance off, Power saving mode on, intel GPU on and setting the power plan to balance.
I need a machine that can do both
Ozbargainers don't let other OzBargainers buy gaming laptops.
Almost all students who buy a gaming laptop regret it, once they realise that:
- It's battery life is not good enough to be used all day at school/uni
- It's too heavy to be used all day at school/uni
- They end up only gaming at home anyway
- A much lighter longer-lasting laptop PLUS a much more powerful gaming laptop PUT TOGETHER cost HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS less than the crappy gaming laptop they bought
Everyone will also stare at you because of how loud your fans are. Anytime the CPU or GPU temp hit 60C The fan will ramp up to 80-100% making it sound like a Boeing 747 taking off.
I assume that OP wouldn't be gaming in public. Even gaming laptops will run cool & quiet under casual use as most have the ability to swap between onboard & dedicated GPU & reduce CPU usage when not required.
Depends on the application usage, how the heatsink is configured and at what temps the fans are set to run in the firmware I guess. My fans go off sometimes when I'm watching Netflix or just downloading a few documents.
Depends on the application usage,
I mean, I said exactly that:
most have the ability to swap between onboard & dedicated GPU & reduce CPU usage when not required.
Netflix can use quite a bit of CPU power, as can documents, especially Excel. So no surprises there. Regardless, bringing a gaming laptop to uni is a futile task. Somebody mentioned a gaming PC and a Chrome Book-like laptop being the perfect combo and I tend to agree.
@Cyphar: I'm looking for a gaming notebook tbh something that is a hybrid between a gaming laptop and a ultrabook. It should handle casual gaming in AAA titles and not be too loud. I will be bringing it to class with me. Im thinking of the dell inspiron 7577 but that will cost $1800.There are 1050 variants but im not sure how future proof a 1050/1050 ti will be in a few years time.
- Future proof
- Laptop
Pick one. Many laptop components are not the same as their desktop variants. If you want to future proof yourself, anything under $2k is a waste of time and even then, you're getting a few years at most.
Cyphar it depends what you mean by public. If you mean right there while the lecturer is speaking no but during on break at the library with headphones in I might game on it a little bit. Is that bad?
@Cyphar: When I mention future proof im speaking of specs that wont go outdated relatively quick. Surely something like a 1060 max Q will be relevant for at least a few years from now. 2k is a rip off and I say that because you can buy laptops at those ranges at those price points in america at much cheaper prices than you get here in australia even with the currency exchanges accounted for. I'm by no means a rich man I dont have a job and I dont work if I did I might not of even made this post but surely with $1250 and $1500 being the absolute limit I could get something that won't go out of date a few years from now. I came here because this site seams to know a thing or two about laptops and bargains. So with that in mind I need your perspective what can money buy for $1250-$1500 pushing the absolute limit? I only have $1000 right now.
I say that because you can buy laptops at those ranges at those price points in america at much cheaper prices than you get here in australia even with the currency exchanges accounted for
Well then why aren't you? You live in Australia. Nothing is as cheap as America. Plus you have to pay GST and shipping fees.
Just because you see a bargain in America does not mean you are entitled to it in Australia.
Give up on your $1250 dream of a 1060 laptop. It isn't going to happen. You have been told this countless times already. Either save harder or future proof yourself by building a desktop pc.
@Cyphar: My brotha I cant build a desktop you must understand were im coming from. Im dry on cash, I need something to go to university with. All of these students there have some sort of gagdet they store their information on. Moreover the computers there are booked. I need me something that can stay with me in 4 years time. This is why I chose a high end laptop and thats what these gaming laptops offer high end specs. Im not quite sure the gst but I do think that i've heard it being mentioned before that its 10% over $1000 which even added to it will still be cheaper than what you would find in these aussie retailers. How much are we looking at for $1250 how much will that fetch me in terms of performance for price? And how much will the cheapest gtx 1060 max Q cost me?
You're not listening to us mate. We've been down this exact same road.
No, a basic $400 laptop for school will not be outdated in only 5 years time. It will be lighter and quieter and the battery will actually last a few classes.
No, a an $900 desktop won't be outdated either, and will be much more powerful than that $1800 laptop.
You can throw your money away if you like, but you'll be joining us in a few years warning the other kids about gaming laptops.
@ItsMeAgro: My man just how loud will these laptops get if you're not gaming on them while theres a lecture going on? I will be mainly web browsing and using youtube. If Im in the library only then will I begin to game on it and that will likely be next to a wall socket. I mean given how loud a library can be sometimes it cant be that bad. As for price I think theres a few options with msi were I might be able to pick up a good deal. I prefer Max Q chips because they are good for the internal tempreture and it will give me extra battery power. From what Im seeing the Dell inspiron 7577 will hold charge for up to 5 hours which is what several people have been saying. So I might just get that. Ofcourse that might mean getting the 1050 ti or a second 1060 max Q. What are your thoughts? I need a hybrid laptop and it seams like this could do the job.
@TheBlackPanther: I also owned a Dell 7559 (before 7577 came out) and whilst it was a solid/decent laptop, it isn't small. It isn't light. On the plus side it had a numeric keypad though.
Completely second this, I (and several other friends) did the exact same thing as you want to do, only to regret it as soon as i started uni.
I got an Acer Aspire V Nitro with a 1060 for $2000, which was great for gaming BUT
-shit battery (3 hours which i admittedly heavily optimised to get 6 hours)
-very heavy (don't kid yourself, lugging a 2.5kg laptop +a 600g charger and other crap is not fun)
-Overheat/ loud etc
-Yes it does stand out, Alot
-Fell of the stupidly f$*#ing small QuT lecture desks (although this happens with Macs just less so) and most other tables
- Didn't feel right at all for Uni and i stopped bringing it half the time
- You will convince yourself you will game (to the degree it needs a heavy graphics card) at uni/ school, but trust me you will not.Please take this advice when i say anything over 14 inches and over 2kg is too much to be lugging around. Get a nice simple chromebook (~$300) or mid range laptop then worry about the gaming part later. There are much better alternatives
What I can add to this, because it doesn't appear many other people are contributing much.
Look into things like Metabox I think it's called, they do custom Laptops so you may be able to get a decent deal or a custom make.it doesn't appear many other people are contributing much.
What hasn't been said? It's all been covered quite well.
Metabox
The cheapest laptop build they have with a 1060 is $1840. More expensive than the Dell laptop I linked.
The Easter special for an Alpha N850HJ-i5 at $899 doesn't sound too bad if you're on a tight budget.
i5-7300HQ, 8gb ram, GTX1050, 15.6" FHD, 128gb SSD, wifi…
No OS, not the latest and greatest CPU, less RAM than I'd like, smallish SSD, etc.. and only a 1050.
… but it's a gaming laptop for under $1k.
Its a FANTASTIC price, I'm going to look in to it myself! But OP is being stubborn and is demanding a 1060 minimum which just wont happen
That said, thanks for sharing it :)
MacBook
Ebay are having a 20% off sale tomorrow (selected sellers). Check Dell and other computer shops. I doubt you'll get anything for $1000 but might get lucky with $12XX.
How long will the sale last? I'll take anything with a gtx 1060 max Q and i7700 cpu with at least 8 gb of ram. Hopefully that will be within the $1000-$1250 range.
I'd say an ultrabook + eGPU might suit your needs but definitely not in that price range.
eGPU? If it could run moderately demanding games at high I'll take it but Im not going over $1500. These macbooks are expensive and they dont offer great graphic specs.
eGPU = external GPU. eg I have a 1080Ti in my external GPU box but a more moderately powered 1060 in my laptop. This will be way outside your budget though (even the 1080Ti on it's own would be close to your budget).
But seriously though, a gaming laptop with a 1050/1060/etc isn't going to be great for uni.
MacBook Pro
Cmon man read the post. What macbook pro is gonna have a gtx1060 max Q? I need something with a good to decent battery life and can game on it with AAA titles.
OP either increase budget or lower expectations, what you're asking for simply doesn't exist at that price. A 1050ti should be more than enough for a long time at just 1080p gaming.
Ok how much are we looking at for a 1050ti with a good battery life.
I'd say something like this and lower the tdp of the CPU using Intel extreme tuning utility and only use the dedicated graphics for gaming. Battery still won't be great though.
What you really want to try and find is a laptop with a 8th gen U series processor and a 50whr+ battery and a 1050ti. Only one I've seen is a Dell xps which is over $2k
dell 7000 gaming around $1000-1200 with i7 & 1050ti (or better) and it will game @1080p a0k
otherwise checkout msy.com.au gaming offers
Thank you my man. That seams relatively cheap given whats on offer at JB hifi and these other popular retailers.
I’m currently looking at this, seems a pretty good buy and has a full fat desktop 1060.
https://www.metabox.com.au/store/b238/Metabox-Alpha-N950TP-L…
I could think of nothing worse than lugging a gaming laptop around and then there's the constant searching for a power outlet…
While in school and on a budget: buy a ultra book and a XB1/PS4
Some gaming laptops can go 4/5 hours without needing a single charge surely thats not too bad is it? I mean 5 hours just on web browsing, youtube and word not relatively intensive tasks.
I would say if you are using it for "web browsing, youtube and word not relatively intensive tasks", you don't need a gaming laptop.
Plus lugging around a full sized laptop is a PITA
why would I buy a laptop if Im not gonna use it for portability? Its completely redundant if I dont use it for that purpose. I mean 5 hours while i wont use it for gaming primarily at school. But I will use it for gaming occasionally. So its gotta have a decent graphics chip inside
Since every one has tried to talk you out of this but you seem to be dead set on it. Your budget does not allow for a 1060 based laptop your best bet is waiting to financial year sales and hope something good is on sale or hit gumtree and see if you can find one that meets your needs that is still in warranty, preferably a deal where you don't wake up in a bathtub filled with ice and keep both kidneys.
ps. battery life on these low end gaming machines is shit at best.
I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned much but have you got any idea how big the tables at your university are going to be?
If it's UNSW, quite a few of the lecture theatres have tiny tables which would struggle with anything bigger than 11" and there are no power points. I wouldn't be surprised if this is consistent with other universities.
Gaming laptop with even a 1050 will be larger than what you can fit on some of those fold out tables (think front row of economy class in an airplane-like size).
Oh, and make sure it has a quiet keyboard. I kept getting stares in lectures once and I was typing on an old Thinkpad (ie not even that loud).
Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming is on sale on the dell website for $1,199.00 (auto club members get 5% off I think if you can find the info)
15"7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 Processor, Windows 10 Home, 8GB memory, 256GB SSD, GTX 1050Ti and IPS display. BACKLIT KBD!
I'm a student who studies
You could at least provide us what subject you are doing, almost everyone here would suggest you get a Chromebook.Dont you understand that I want a hybrid? I need a machine with decent specs that wont just limit to google and youtube thats what a chromebook is for. With the models of laptops that are out right now theres bound to be at least a few that have thought people like me exist and made a laptop geared towards us. Im willing to go to 1500 and thats no chump change for what im asking for. Its only here in australia where the standards of laptops have to be dropped for the money you are offering. Over in the states you could get a 1070 at under $2000 but these retailers would rather fool you and I into accepting a 940x for $1500 and you want me to accept that standard. Some people in here may be cheated out of there wallets for what they pay but at least I wont be one of those victims who are.
I just went through the same subject with a friend that wanted the same but wasn’t delusional about the budget. He ended up getting a Msi with a 1060gtx for 1680$. Took it to classes for the first time this week… it didn’t even last half the day, he is now looking for a good deal on the dell outlet shop to get a laptop that will be good for classes.
Sorry to say man if every person is telling you the same thing they might be onto some thing. That or just buy the dell for $1360.
Then buy one from the US, get it shipped here, and carry it to uni.
Try metabox. I have a pretty slim gaming laptop I got last year for $1500 with following specs:
i7 7700HQ
16gb ddr4 2400mhz ram
gtx 1050tiruns fortnite, overwatch at 70fps @ 1080p on max settings.
So I saw this deal in the last min before the 20% off sale finish
It is $1199 after discount
I bought it straight away although its a refurbished item
i7 7700hq, 16g ram, 256gb+1tb, gtx1060
good luck
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lenovo-Legion-Y720-i7-16GB-256-S…Good find but warning its a GTX 1060 Mobile / Max Q so pretty much a GTX 1050ti desktop variant.
Buy a cheap notebook and a switch.
wtf?
Buy a cheap gaming PC/setup and buy a cheap laptop. You'll get more out of both of them than a single combined machine…
Why do students have hookups on Gaming laptops. They're the biggest waste of money imaginable.
Go to gumtree and facebook marketplace my dude. Some really good rare finds there just gotta be patient.
You're not going to get a laptop with a GTX1060 at that price. You'll need to fork out $1800 for something that matches your specs.
No gaming laptop has long battery life. Dedicated GPU's draw a lot of power. You wouldn't use them for a portable laptop for uni either as they aren't light!