Entry-Level Gaming Laptops - Need Advice (Budget < $1,000)

Llaptopbuyer on 11/01/2025 - 11:30
Last edited 11/01/2025 - 16:55 by 1 other user

Hello, I'm looking to buy a low budget laptop to be used at home.

No need for portability (weight, battery as it will be used plugged most of the time) or small size. Just interested in running modern games on low settings (DayZ, maybe Rust, League…)

I've read here multiple recommendations for bussiness/commercial refurbished laptops, but I'm not sure if they are designed to play games for longish periods (2hr) without overheating.

Maybe someone can share their experience with a particular model. I will be happy to read you.

Thank you.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • powerman on 11/01/2025 - 11:47
    +7

    If you dont need portability, then why get a laptop? You will get a much better machine for playiny games for less by getting a desktop.

  • Hybroid on 11/01/2025 - 11:51
    +1

    Why not a console if no need for portability?

  • MS Paint on 11/01/2025 - 11:55
    +3

    $1k on marketplace will get you an awesome used gaming desktop setup. Way better frame rates than any $1k laptop currently for sale.

  • Drakesy on 11/01/2025 - 12:58
    +1

    I have an Asus TUF FX505D laptop that is still chugging along well.

    Just make sure to steer clear of the xx50 series graphics cards - they're crap.

    Anything 2060 and above will be fine, else the 4050 is the only base level card i'd settle for.

    If i had my time again i'd get another asus or acer nitro

    • laptopbuyer on 11/01/2025 - 19:17

      Hey, just found this Asus TUF on sale ($1099)

      https://www.centrecom.com.au/asus-tuf-gaming-a15-156-ryzen-7…

      It looks pretty good for the price I think. I'm debating whether this one or the Acer Nitro V15 for $200 cheaper I commented below.
      It does have an xx50 series which you say are no good. Thoughts?

      • Drakesy on 11/01/2025 - 23:24

        Yeah the rtx3050 is a hard pass unfortunately

        • Hirolol on 12/01/2025 - 08:15

          Why 3050 no good?
          I got the 2060
          Is that better?

          • Drakesy on 12/01/2025 - 10:55

            @Hirolol: Yep 2060 performs better

            • Hirolol on 12/01/2025 - 13:15

              @Drakesy: Nice
              Good decision I made then
              Only thing I’m annoyed at is apparently no usb C PD charging and battery doesn’t last long, even just browsing + YouTube

  • laptopbuyer on 11/01/2025 - 13:41

    Thank you for the comments!
    It has to be a laptop due to space.
    I thought I'd steer clear of Asus and any Intel 13th gen processor from the things I've read online.

    • MS Paint on 11/01/2025 - 14:07
      +3

      I thought that was all fixed up with mobo microcode bios updates.

  • CyberMurning on 11/01/2025 - 14:56
    +1

    Just set notification here on oZb for laptop, lenovo, asus, those kind of keyword and check often one day someone will post a good deal

  • CrispyChrispy on 11/01/2025 - 16:25
    +1

    I've read here multiple recommendations for bussiness/commercial refurbished laptops, but I'm not sure if they are designed to play games for longish periods (2hr) without overheating.

    Nevermind cooling, those laptops aren't specced to run PC games anyway (no dGPU, low Hz refresh rate, etc.)

    If you want brand new and under $1K, you're probably going to looking at an Acer Nitro with a RTX 4050

    • laptopbuyer on 11/01/2025 - 18:33

      https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/acer-nitro…

      Thoughts on this one? The GPU isn't that great but I feel it might manage alright. I'm not expecting 60FPS Elden Ring on medium-high settings
      I'm mainly concerned of Acer on their durability aspect. Maybe I can get 3 years of use? 4?

      (I've been reading lots of your comments on months old posts haha)

  • laptopbuyer on 11/01/2025 - 18:43

    I've been using an Acer Aspire E5-575 for the past 6 years (i3, 8gb DDR3, Geforce 940MX)
    Got me through uni, some sturdy times in foreign countries and now the hinges finally came apart.
    Been playing GTA SA, L4D, Minecraft and old ass games like that. I can definitely manage my expectations but would enjoy playing games from this century too

    Right now I'm debating between these two:

    Asus TUF A15 ($1099)
    https://www.centrecom.com.au/asus-tuf-gaming-a15-156-ryzen-7…

    Acer Nitro V15 ($897)
    https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/acer-nitro…

    Any insight will be really appreciated!

    • WinterStar on 11/01/2025 - 19:47
      +1

      I'll be honest and say I have no clue about computers and graphics and specifics like that but I have a general idea after researching when buying my Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 but, I might recommend this one instead of the other 2.

      My reasoning for suggesting this one is simply having 6GB of VRAM would be better than having 4GB like the other two have.
      Now I've been looking around as soon as I saw your thread and I can honestly say it is going to be difficult to choose one. Ideally you'd want at least a RTX 3060 but I seriously can not find one that is new in your price range. If you don't care too much about refurb or used, there'd be more options but I'm not sure what you're okay with.

      For example, my Lenovo laptop I got (hardly) used for like $700-800 on eBay a year ago. It has a RTX 3060 and was my main reason for purchase.

      EDIT: Forgot to add, unless you're in a serious hurry to get a new laptop, I'd just wait for a deal to show up like what CyberMurning said.

      • laptopbuyer on 11/01/2025 - 20:58

        I am totally fine with getting a refurb, I just couldn't find any that weren't corporate use but I didn't really check much for them. I will be looking on eBay now though
        The one you listed seems really good for what I'm looking for, thanks for taking the time!

        • WinterStar on 11/01/2025 - 22:56

          No worries buddy, hope you find something you like.

  • laptopbuyer on 12/01/2025 - 09:16

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/167218964468
    ($1300) Acer Nitro 5 refurbished
    A bit over my budget but looks like a solid option too

  • laptopbuyer on 12/01/2025 - 09:28

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/296937042733
    ($1140) Legion 5 refurbished
    I've read good things about Lenovo and I feel anything better than this 3060 would be overkill for me. My best find for now although I'm paying for too much RAM on this one

    • WinterStar on 12/01/2025 - 19:25
      +1

      Ah mate you're looking a lot on the US eBay site. Problem with that is you'll probably have problems with the charger if it ends up coming from the US.

      Here's a quick eBay AU search with filters: https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=laptop&_sa…

      EDIT: I've done some further searching and found these refurbed from a place called Green Gadgets:
      Acer Nitro 5 15.6 i5 RTX 3060 $969
      Acer Nitro 5 15.6 i9 RTX 3060 $969
      Acer Nitro 5 15.6 i9 RTX 3070 $1,039

      I'll keep posting more as I find them.

      • laptopbuyer on 12/01/2025 - 20:45

        Definitely seems to be more and better options than eBay US. Thanks heaps for that

        I've been considering the Infinity one you linked before with the 4060 for $1099.
        Do you think the Ideapad would be better? It just seems slightly lower specs for higher price although it may have a much better build quality

        • WinterStar on 12/01/2025 - 21:17
          +1

          I wasn't the one that linked the Infinity one but I checked out your other thread, my only worry about cash converters is they really don't post any details about the use before they got their hands on it. If you're based in Queensland, you could head to their store and get more information on it, or even call the number under the image.

          As to which I recommend, it's a no brainer that I'd suggest the 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, the Ideapad is 3060 with 6GB of VRAM. But like I said earlier, the worry is cash converters.

    • WinterStar on 12/01/2025 - 20:23
      +1

      I've also found this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/115887946324?_skw=lenovo+ideapad…

      It's what I'm using but slightly better. Condition seems ideal except for that rattling noise from inside the laptop.
      Some cons from my experience is that there is no switch for graphics so the computer will automatically decide which graphics card it will use. You can sort of decide which one it will use via Windows settings or NVIDIA control panel. Basically it will always use AMD integrated graphics as your default screen graphics and generally the RTX 3060 for games.
      Next con is that colour quality isn't the best and you'll have to play around with the settings until you find something you like, it's like slightly washed out.

      Other than that, I recommend this one. It's not cheap but you might be able to contact the seller and make an offer.
      Also posting as another reply because I edited my other post but don't know if you saw it.

  • morganz on 12/01/2025 - 14:30
    +2

    It might be worth looking at a steam deck or one of the other hand helds, the amd APU's they all run on are similar to what's in PlayStation and Xbox.

    They can be plugged into a normal monitor, normal peripherals, the steam deck in particular is like a PC console ie simple to use. Power wise they are laptop hardware, but very focused on gaming, and if your using it at home you can run it full speed.

    Also there is a lot of movement in that space at the moment so there might be some behind in the second hand market

    • nahkk on 13/01/2025 - 01:16

      Do you have any recommendations for steam deck for a 13 year old and a 10 year old?

      • Takeohakuto on 13/01/2025 - 09:02
        +1

        The cheapest possible which is the $650 256GB LCD model. Next model up is $850 512GB OLED model and other than the storage and screen, specs are the same.

        • nahkk on 13/01/2025 - 11:26

          Thanks

  • laptopbuyer on 13/01/2025 - 18:11

    Finally decided to get a Lenovo LOQ Gen 9 (Ryzen 7 7435hs, 4060) for $1400. Brand new with a year of warranty.
    I feel pretty confident with my purchase and is in part thanks to all of your comments. I might post that 4060 Infinity for $1000 on the Deals topic, maybe someone else will be interested

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