So, it’s official – you’ve taken gaming to the next level and you’re in the market for a gaming laptop under $2500. Then you’ve come to the right place.
You want a computer that can keep up with your intense gaming sessions, no matter what time of day or night, without compromising on speed, graphics, or audio quality.
Plus of course, you want a computer that will be durable enough to withstand the rigors of whatever game or project you immerse yourself in.
Well, we’ve done the looking around so that you don’t have to.
Here are 10 of the best gaming laptops under 2500 that we’ve found, with what’s great and not so great about each one.
Contents
- Best Gaming Laptop Under 2500 In 2022
- 1. ASUS ROG S17 Zephyrus 17.3” – GX701LWS-XS76
- 2. Alienware M17 17.3” Gaming Laptop – AWM17-7296WHT-PUS
- 3. ASUS ROG Zephyrus S 15.6” Gaming Laptop – GX531GW-AS76
- 4. ASUS TUF F17 Gaming Laptop
- 5. MSI GT63 Titan 15.6” Gaming Laptop – GT63 Titan-052
- 6. Omen by HP 17.3” Gaming Laptop – 3WE38UA#ABA
- 7. Gigabyte Aero 15X 15.6” Gaming Laptop – Aero 15X v8-BK4
- 8. Acer Predator Triton 500 15.6” Gaming Laptop – PT515-52-77P9
- 9. Alienware x17 R1
- 10. MSI GS65 15.6” Gaming Laptop – GS65 Stealth-002
- 11. Acer Predator Helios 500 17.3” Gaming Laptop – PH517-51-72NU
- 12. Razer Blade 15.6” Gaming Laptop – RZ09-02887E92-R3U1
- Amazing Secondary Features of a Gaming Laptop Under 2500
- FAQs
- 1. Which internal processing chip is best for gaming laptops?
- 2. What is RAM and how much do I need for gaming?
- 3. How can I get amazing graphics on my gaming laptop?
- 4. I want to download my games to my laptop. How big does my hard drive need to be?
- 5. Will I get a warranty with my gaming laptop under 2500 dollars?
- 6. Are gaming laptops good for other things beyond gaming?
- 7. What all to consider while buying a gaming laptop?
- 8. Why are gaming laptops generally more expensive than regular laptops?
- 9. What to do to ensure my gaming laptop does not heat up?
- Conclusion
How to Select the Best Gaming Laptop Under 2500
Choosing a gaming laptop under $2500 can be mind-boggling and overwhelming due to the sheer variety of choices and options available.
To help you choose one that best suits your needs, here are a few things to consider:
- Graphics Capability
When you’re buying a gaming laptop, it goes without saying that you will want the graphics to be of high quality.
There’s nothing worse than being disappointed in your gameplay due to your computer’s inability to keep up with the demands of the ever-improving game technology seen today.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX series of graphics cards are some of the leading standards of chips that provide the level of speed and ability required in this arena. However, for the sake of graphics, you don’t need to stretch your budget to the sky. Yeah, some graphics cards like GTX 1660 Ti and others would no doubt provide a fabulous performance and visual effects but for that, you’ll have to stretch your budget till 5K dollars and that’s not a good bet in our opinion.
- Ports
Laptops are highly diverse in their ability to perform a large variety of functions, even at the same time, so it’s important to ensure that you buy the laptop that will make your life easier.
Being able to plug other devices into your laptop or connect wirelessly will provide you with greater functionality that’s extremely useful both at work and at play.
So, whether that’s HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, or other, look for the gaming laptop that provides the right mix of available ports and connectivity.
- Screen Size
Laptops come in a variety of sizes, but gamers often want a screen that is large enough to provide them with an immersive visual experience. Also, you should look for additional functionalities like Ray Tracing or visual optimization for a better experience.
Generally, it is recommended to choose a 15.6 or a 17.3-inch screen for gaming.
This is the screen size range that will also work well for multi-functionality when switching to other laptop functions such as internet browsing.
Best Gaming Laptop Under 2500 In 2022
1. ASUS ROG S17 Zephyrus 17.3” – GX701LWS-XS76
Within a premium budget, this sleek black ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Zephyrus gaming laptop is an exceptionally good example of style and function combined.
With its ultra-slim exterior and narrow bezel 17.3-inch screen, you will get unrivaled immersive entertainment.
Amazing Graphics
With the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super graphics card installed in this gaming laptop model, you can rest assured that ASUS has built this laptop with gaming in mind.
It is a high-end card that boasts a higher speed of up to 24% on its standard 2070 model, plus up to 16% improvement in performance.
Well yeah, when such high powered graphics card is there to serve all your gaming needs; do you think you need another gaming machine to have a look on? And yeah, if you’ve found any laptop with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and made your mind for that then believe us, you’ll regret for not spending merely 50-60 bucks more on a decent graphic card.
Processor Power
This ASUS Zephyrus model also has the 10th Generation Intel Core i7 10750H processor inside, which promises powerful performance for prolonged periods of time.
So, whether you’re at work or at play, you can expect a high-speed and powerful computer that can handle multi-tasking or any power-hungry software that you throw at it.
True Colors
Unlike some other monitor displays, this laptop is Pantone Validated, which means that it has exceptional color likeness and representation.
So, where many computers advise that you can’t judge their on-screen colors against what you see in the real world, the ASUS Zephyrus has found a solution to this by using the universal standard of the color company ‘Pantone’, as their benchmark for accuracy. And yeah, it features an anti glare display so you could play your games through it without aching your eyesight.
- Has 32GB of DDR4 SDRAM as standard with a memory speed of 3200 MHz
- The maximum screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels for a better experience.
- Has 5 different USB ports, an HDMI port, and an audio jack
- Weighs 5.73 pounds
- Features an RGB backlit keyboard
- This gaming laptop’s keyboard features a nicely designed num pad for a better gaming experience.
- Comes with a 30-day Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription
Specifications
- Brand: ASUS
- Screen Display Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 1TB Solid State Drive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
Pros
- The ROG Intelligent Cooling thermal system for excellent cooling
- There are two modes that enable you to switch easily between gaming and general use
- It boasts best graphics and visuals with an HD 1920 x 1080 screen resolution.
- The RGB keyboard can be full customized with Aura Sync
- Comes with a portable power pack so that you don’t have to find a spare socket when your battery is low
- Built for resilience and durability
Cons
- There is no touchpad or external mouse, so you will need to purchase a wireless or USB-wired mouse separately
2. Alienware M17 17.3” Gaming Laptop – AWM17-7296WHT-PUS
Within the $2000 to $2500 price range, this Alienware M17 gaming laptop is especially stylish with its ‘Lunar Light’ color scheme and iconic ‘AlienFX’ lighting, having an ethereal glow when switched on.
Made from premium and durable materials like magnesium alloy, copper, and steel, this computer has a high-quality feel that also promises great overall performance.
Great Graphics
This great gaming laptop under $2500 comes with the powerful and impressive processor Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6 graphics card.
This high-quality piece of tech boasts AI-enhanced graphics that will make your gaming experience come to life before your eyes.
Processing Power
With the 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H processing chip as standard inside the Alienware M17 laptop, you can rely on high spec quality to handle your AAA-rated games.
Powerful, reliable, and dependable, this computer will be a close ally for all office, home, and play tasks that you wish it to perform.
Blue Light
We’ve all heard about harmful blue light rays emitted by our devices, right?
Well, if you haven’t here been a recap of the effects of this type of light – can stop you from being able to get a good night’s sleep, may cause degenerative eye conditions such as macular degeneration, and may cause a high degree of eye strain. Yeah, in shorter words, this gaming laptop boasts an anti-glare display for vision safety.
Well, fear not, because this Alienware laptop features a unique technology that reduces your exposure to high-energy visible light (HEV).
- Has 16GB of DDR4 RAM as standard with a memory speed of 2666 MHz
- To enhance your visual graphic experience it serves with a max screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Lightweight at just 4.65 pounds
- Slimline 0.8-inch frame
- LCD display screen
- Has a number keypad
Specifications
- Brand: Alienware
- Screen Display Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: 1oth Generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 1TB Solid State Drive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
Pros
- There’s a Cryo-Tech cooling system to help keep the temperatures low
- It has an on-board webcam for all your video and conferencing needs
- Features an RGB backlit keyboard
- With the 1TB Solid State Drive, you will have plenty of storage space
- Comes with 3 USB ports, an SD card port, and a headphone jack
Cons
- If you prefer a standard full-sized mouse for your gaming, you will need to purchase one separately
3. ASUS ROG Zephyrus S 15.6” Gaming Laptop – GX531GW-AS76
At the lower end of the 2000 to 2500 price bracket for premium gaming laptops, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S represents phenomenal gaming power for a great price.
As with all ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) laptops, you can rest assured that they are built for durability, longevity, power, and efficacy.
Cooling Capability
The temperature control of gaming laptops is an important consideration when choosing.
For this ASUS Zephyrus S, the onboard Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) automatically adjusts the fan speeds based on CPU and GPU temperatures.
Anti-dust technology and the ability to manually affect the fan speeds make this a standout system.
Sound Effects
With the placement of the speakers designed with your total immersive enjoyment in mind, this laptop has considered what is best for you—the gamer.
It, therefore, allows for a louder output, with deeper bass and range, so you can hear every single sound effect of your game, or even when streaming music and movies.
Chiclet RGB Keyboard
This laptop comes with a high spec illuminated RGB chiclet keyboard, with a number keypad.
The impressive RGB illumination with Aura Sync technology is 100% customizable, making gameplay dynamic and visually stunning.
With a 20 million keypress durability, you can rely on the longevity of your laptop at work and at play.
- Has an anti-glare screen display
- The HD 1920 x 1080 pixels maximum screen resolution serves graphics tremendously well.
- Has 16GB of DDR4 RAM as standard with a memory speed of 2666 MHz
- This gaming laptop is backed by Windows 10 operating system for massive performance.
- Weighs 4.6 pounds
- Slimline 0.62-inch frame
Specifications
- Brand: ASUS
- Screen Display Size: 15.6 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7 Hexa-Core
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 512GB Flash Memory Solid State
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max Q Graphics
Pros
- The outline of the screen features super-narrow bezels to ensure you get as much game immersion from the 144Hz display as possible
- A 512GB Solid State Drive enables you plenty of space for your storage needs
- The outer body of this laptop is made from military-grade magnesium alloy
- Get amazing visuals with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max Q graphics card
- Has 5 different USB ports including USD Type C Port, am HDMI port, and an audio jack
- The best thing about this laptop is long battery life.
Cons
- There is no touchpad or external mouse, with this gaming laptop under 2500, so you will have to purchase a wireless or USB-wired mouse separately
4. ASUS TUF F17 Gaming Laptop
It is right to call this laptop ‘a beast’. It is one of the best gaming laptops in the market that is available for under $2500. From processor to memory to display size, it comes with the best in everything. The 17.3-inch screen size is a great advantage for gamers, as playing games with a bigger size screen is an absolute delight!
Best display
ASUS TUF F17 Gaming Laptop comes with a 17.3-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The display supports Full HD definition and is equipped with IPS technology. It supports 1920 x 1080 screen resolution. The display is ideal for gaming and also for carrying out other activities like movie streaming, typing, etc.
Powerful processor
The laptop comes with the powerful Intel Core i7-11800H Processor to deliver uninterrupted and fast performance while gaming. Intel Core i7 processor is known for its speed. This processor is a perfect fit for hard-core gamers. Concerning graphics, the laptop uses GeForce RTX 3060 graphics cards to deliver stunning visuals for games.
Excellent storage space
Memory is an important aspect of gaming. Higher RAM is required for efficient gaming with no delays and high response. ASUS TUF F17 Gaming laptop comes with 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 1 TB PCIe SSD storage capacity. You can download and install numerous hard-core games with this amount of storage. It uses Windows 10 Home operating system.
- Durable and strong construction with military standards to resist hard handlings
- The memory of up to 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 1 TB PCIe SSD storage capacity for an efficient gaming
- Comes with a 17.3-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate for a perfect gaming experience
- Uses powerful Intel Core i7-11800H Processor and GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card to deliver amazing performance
- Weighs about 5.73 pounds and is quite easily portable when compared to other gaming laptops, which are much bulkier
- The keyboard is backlit and is rated at 20-million keystroke durability for an efficient gaming
Specifications
- Brand: ASUS
- Screen Display Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H Processor
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 1TB Solid State Drive
- Graphics card: GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
Pros
- Bigger 17.3-inch display size with FHD feature
- Excellent RAM and storage capacity
- Backlit keyboard with comfortable touchpad
- Fast working i7 processor for powerful performance
- GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card delivers stunning visuals
- Multiple ports for fast data transfer
Cons
- Below-average battery life
- Average performance while playing hardcore games
5. MSI GT63 Titan 15.6” Gaming Laptop – GT63 Titan-052
As a premium laptop for approximately $2500, the MSI GT63 Titan is a smart and functional-looking solid laptop.
It is very smart with its mostly plain black exterior, the dragon logo, and minimal red detailing on the upper casing.
Whilst the design may look a little less dynamic than some other brands, don’t be fooled, because this gaming laptop under 2500 dollars is more than powerful enough for any gamer in 2022.
Great Graphics
With the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 8G GDDR5X graphics card inside, this packs a punch in the power and visuals department.
It also has its own cooling system on the card, which helps to dissipate excess heat caused by high requirement use in most AAA-grade games.
Powerful Processing
This laptop has an immensely powerful Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa Core on board, providing great performance for any demanding task you require it to do—including some of the most taxing games on the market.
So yeah, no matter how memory or storage-demanding games you’re playing, it won’t let you down for sure.
Superb Storage
With the 256GB Solid State Drive + 1TB Hard Disk Drive Hybrid Drive installed, you will have access to plenty of storage capacity for all games, photos, movies, and music that you care to store on your laptop.
This combination is also powerful and fast, making your machine an impressive dynamo.
- This gaming laptop features a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Has a touchpad mouse
- Has 16GB of DDR4 RAM as standard with a memory speed of 2666 MHz
- Windows 10 Home is provided as OS
- Has an 15.6 FHD type webcam
- Weighs 6.48 pounds
Specifications
- Brand: MSI
- Screen Display Size: 15.6 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H
- RAM: 16GB DDR 4
- Hard Drive: 256GB NVME SSD + 1TB HDD Hybrid Dive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
Pros
- The keyboard is fully customizable per key, with RGB technology
- Greater connectivity with 5 different USB ports, 1 Ethernet port, 1 HDMI port, 1 SD card port, and Bluetooth
- Dynaudio speakers bring high-quality audio to your gaming experience
- Comes with an anti-glare screen
- The 16GB RAM is upgradeable with enough space to increase that to 64GB
- With an unbeatably long battery life you could play your favorite games for days long.
Cons
- At 15.6 inches, the screen size of this laptop is not as big as the 17.6-inch models
- With the plastic casing, this laptop may not be as resilient to being carried around as some other metallic laptops
6. Omen by HP 17.3” Gaming Laptop – 3WE38UA#ABA
HP is a brand of computers that is well known throughout the world.
Omen is their high spec gaming laptop, which for within the premium price range of 2000 to 2500 dollars is well worth every penny.
It is very has a smart solid black well-designed exterior with red detailing on the lid and the keys of the keyboard.
High-Quality Sound
The Omen has an onboard speaker system by audio specialists Bang and Olufsen, promising an extremely high quality, powerful and immersive sound system, without the need for separate speakers.
Featured Keys
The keyboard is backlit, with special attention to the unique needs of gamers.
The smart manufacturers of the Omen have highlighted the WASD keys in bright red, so you don’t miss them during that all-important action scene.
Laptop Accessories
Even though you will need to purchase them separately, there are a whole array of beautifully designed matching peripheral components that you can buy so that your Omen gaming laptop under 2500 is state of the art.
These include a 35-inch curved monitor screen, a full-sized keyboard, a headset, a cabled mouse, and a mouse pad.
- It features 1920 x 1080 pixels of max screen resolution.
- Its touchpad mouse works nicely for faster access to positions on the screen.
- Has 16GB of SDRAM as standard with a memory speed of 2666 MHz
- This laptop features a decently stable Windows 10 Home OS
- Has a webcam
- The battery life lasts up to 6.75 hours
- Weighs 8.33 pounds
Specifications
- Brand: Omen
- Screen Display Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD Hybrid Dive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Pros
- Easy ability to upgrade your laptop with single-panel access to the internals
- With a 128 GB NVME SSD it boasts supersonic speed.
- The standard 16 GB DDR4 RAM comes with 2 accessible memory slots ready for you to upgrade if you wish
- Fully customize your settings in a user-friendly program
- Comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H processor
- The anti-glare screen is perfect for any light setting day or night
Cons
- There is no touchpad or external mouse, so you will need to purchase a wireless or USB-wired mouse separately
7. Gigabyte Aero 15X 15.6” Gaming Laptop – Aero 15X v8-BK4
The Gigabyte Aero 15X is an especially good-looking laptop under the premium gaming laptop price of 2500 dollars.
It is slimline, lightweight, and sleek, with a black metal chassis exterior, promising great durability and portability. And yeah, with a 15.6 FHD you can’t get a better visual graphic experience in any other gaming machines on the market.
Well, again, we’d say there are many laptops under 2500 dollars; but this one is special for a couple of reasons. Want to explore? Let’s do it!
Powerful Processing
GigaByte Aero laptop has an immensely powerful 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa Core on board, providing over 50% increased performance for any demanding AAA grade game or other tasks you wish it to undertake.
Power and Speed
The 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD) ensures that the GigaByte Aero laptop has enough storage for plenty of games, and other files, as well as being fast.
Loading and booting times will be quick so that you have more time to play and less time being frustrated waiting.
Better Battery
The Aero 15X boasts a whopping 94Wh capacity, giving an average of 10 hours battery life, which is perfect if like your gaming or computing experience it is portable without being encumbered by cables.
You can even customize your charging modes for even more personalization.
All in all, this laptop isn’t just a gaming laptop, but, it suits well to businessmen or real estate agents as well. Yeah, from a performance point of view, we could say this.
- For a better viewing experience, it boasts a max screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Gigabyte Aero features a built-in touchpad mouse which is smooth and highly efficient.
- Has 16GB of DDR4 RAM
- Features a 15.6 FHD for better visual effects
- It features Windows 10 Home operating system
- Has a webcam
- Weighs 4.41 pounds
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Specifications
- Brand: Gigabyte
- Screen Display Size: 15.6 FHD inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7 11800h
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 512GB Solid State Drive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
Pros
- The LCD screen is anti-glare, 15.6 FHD (Full High Definition), with Pantone color likeness
- There is a very slim 5mm bezel on the screen for high-quality wall-to-wall visuals
- The keyboard and number keypad features RGB backlighting
- For outstanding audio, the onboard speakers feature stereo Dolby ATMOS technology
- Excellent connectivity with 3 USB ports, an HDMI port, RJ45 port, SD card reader port, Thunderbolt 3 port, Mini DP port, headphone, and microphone ports
Cons
- There is no touchpad or external mouse, so you will need to purchase a wireless or USB-wired mouse (Probably a USB Type C port compatible) separately
8. Acer Predator Triton 500 15.6” Gaming Laptop – PT515-52-77P9
Don’t be fooled by the slight exterior of this laptop. The Acer Predator Triton 500 is an enormously powerful laptop in a seemingly small case.
Under the price of $2500, it really does represent good value for money for what you get in power and functionality.
Acer states that this ultra-thin model is the result of its endeavor to craft the world’s thinnest, fastest, quietest gaming laptop. And that’s what makes it ideal from teenagers to elders & seniors as well. Yeah, it’s a good laptop for seniors as well.
Slim Chassis
The slimmest of all the laptops featured in this article, the Triton 500 has a very thin chassis at just 0.7-inch wide.
Superior Cooling
There is an on-board 4th Generation all-metal Aeroblade 3D Fan cooling system with Vortex Flow.
This new cooling technology has been specially designed with the needs of the intensive gamer in mind.
Wi-Fi Brilliance
If you prefer online gaming, then this laptop is ideal, as it features the Killer AX1650 Wi-Fi 6.
This new technology promises to be nearly 3 times faster than competitors, with 3 times better latency and up to 5 times better resolution.
Well, in a nutshell, you might get plenty of laptops under 2500 dollars but all won’t be able to beat this special one from a performance, experience & quality point of view.
- With a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, it stands among some best gaming laptops under $2500
- Its 32GB of DDR4 RAM provides a fabulously well performance.
- This laptop enhances your gaming through Windows 10 Home operating system
- Has a HD webcam
- Weighs 4.63 pounds
- Average battery life is 5 hours
Specifications
- Brand: Acer
- Screen Display Size: 15.6 inches
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Hard Drive: 1TB Flash Memory Solid State Drive (1 TB PCIE SSD)
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super
Pros
- Comes with top quality NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super with Max-Q graphics card
- Excellent connectivity with 1 Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, and a Thunderbolt 3 port
- The DTS X Ultra surround sound stereo speaker system delivers amazing audio
- Ray Tracing capability on display makes it a great piece as a gaming laptop of gamers.
- Boasts unbeatable speed with help of 1TB PCIE SSD drive.
- Fully upgradeable
- You can purchase a matching set of Predator gaming accessories at a later date
Cons
- This laptop under 2500 does not have a number keypad
9. Alienware x17 R1
Alienware is the absolute pinnacle when it comes to gaming laptops. Earlier in our list, we took a closer look at another laptop from the company, Alienware M17, and let us now take a closer look at Alienware x17 R1, which provides quite a few upgrades over the laptop we’ve reviewed earlier. This is an even more power-packed laptop and one of the best gaming laptops under $2500 which gamers must absolutely consider. The laptop comes in three GPU variants, but we’re going with the only one that comes under $2500.
Specs: GPU and CPU
The laptop runs on an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor which is the latest and the most power-packed of processors that you can find in 2022. The processor is capable of providing quite an intense processing power which ensures that all your games run smoothly and that there’s no slowdown or lag while you play it. To add to that, the laptop comes with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 GPU which comes with its own 6GB GDDR6 memory built-in, ensuring that it doesn’t take away from the RAM that you are using.
Enhanced Ray Tracing Cores and Tensor Cores on the GPU help you get some incredible visuals, the likes of which aren’t possible with older versions of NVidia’s GPUs. The CPU and the GPU put together will ensure that you are not missing out on any gaming action, but will also ensure that you can also perform other tasks such as video editing and rendering. These are tasks that require quite a bit of processing and you can get all of them on gaming laptops.
Display, Storage, RAM, and Other Features
Let us now take a closer look at the display you get on this Alienware laptop. You get a 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) display which offers a refresh rate of 360Hz. This is a ‘ComfortView Plus’ display which comes with NVIDIA G-SYNC tech – all of which put together gives you an excellent screen to not just play games, but also for playing all your favorite games.
You get 16GB of RAM along with 1TB of SSD storage on this laptop from Alienware. It runs on the Windows 10 Home OS out of the box, however, in the days to follow you’ll soon get a prompt which will upgrade it to Windows 11. This ensures that you have a future-proof laptop in your hands which is certain to get updated to the latest version of Windows OS, along with all the latest security patches.
Cooling, Connectivity, and Gaming
One of the biggest problems that gaming laptops tend to face is that they tend to heat up a lot, especially when you are playing games on them. This is because gaming requires the processor as well as the graphics processor to perform at peak capacity and hence a lot of heat is generated. Alienware makes use of cryo-tech technology to ensure that the laptop remains cool at all times. It attains ideal heat dissipation levels with the help of thermal module designs, as well as an advanced thermal control system.
Even with multiple fans placed inside it, the laptop remains quite thin. In fact, this is Alienware’s thinnest 17-inch laptop. Moreover, it comes with USB 3.2 ports, a Type-C port, and HDMI port, a microSD card slot, and a port for mini-display. Practically all your connectivity needs can easily be met by this laptop. To improve the heat dissipation, all these connectivity options have been moved to the back while the sides are reserved for the heat vents.
Summing up, this is one of the most powerful options out there if you are looking forward to buying the best gaming laptops under $2500. This is a high-priced device but it delivers on all fronts – a very powerful example of modern-day gaming tech! A laptop that is powerful enough to play practically any game imaginable.
- Runs on Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) + Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
- Features 16GB RAM + 1 TB storage space
- 17.3-inch FHD Display
- Windows 10 with a guaranteed upgrade to Windows 11
Specifications:
- Brand: Alienware
- Screen Display Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (11th Gen)
- RAM: 16GB
- Hard Drive: 1TB SSD
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
Pros and Cons of Alienware x17 R1:
Pros
- Excellent heat dissipation – especially for a gaming laptop
- Lots of connectivity options
- Powerful CPU + GPU combination
- Large 17.3-inch display
- Guaranteed upgrade to Windows 11 OS
Cons
- Expensive
10. MSI GS65 15.6” Gaming Laptop – GS65 Stealth-002
MSI is a brand of laptop that you can trust – in 2018, they won a Best Gaming Brand award, setting them apart from their competitors.
For the premium laptop budget of around $2500, this GB65 model is stylish in matte black exterior with a golden dragon logo, and sleek gold diamond cut trim design.
Touchpad Technology
This exceptional touchpad sets it apart from competitors.
With its 35% larger surface area, it is made from silky smooth glass for easier use.
10+ gestures enable you to be extremely precise with your gameplay functions, making control of your play and characters second to none.
Portability
The MSI GS65 is especially portable, so if you like to take your laptop to friends’ houses, or on the commute to and from work, then this is a great model for you.
The laptop body has a slim 0.69-inch exterior, but there is an even slimmer power adaptor, which can be bulky in other brands.
Special Speakers
The Dynaudio Speaker System has been designed to help you get a high-quality audio experience without the need for separate speakers.
It boasts true-to-life stereo sound, with a 50% plus boost amplitude.
All in all, it boasts the best performance one can’t forget in his lifetime; yeah, with help of an 8GB GDDR6 graphics card, it does wonder in a gamer’s life.
- Has a thin-bezel screen display
- The screen is anti-glare
- The max screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Has 32GB of DDR4 RAM as standard with a memory speed of 2666 MHz
- Comes with Windows 10 Home operating system
- Weighs 4.19 pounds
Specifications
- Brand: MSI
- Screen Display Size: 15.6 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 512GB Flash Memory Solid State
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
Pros
- The MSI App Player helps you bridge the gap between mobile and PC game platforms
- Get up to 8 hours of battery life on this laptop before needing to re-charge
- Ultra-slim 4.9 mm 4-sided bezels providing a massive 81% screen-to-body ratio
- Excellent cooling with 3 internal fans with up to 47 individual fans each, plus 6 copper pipes
- A fully customizable RGB backlit keyboard for a more dynamic gaming experience
Cons
- There is no separate numeric keypad on the keyboard
- At 15.6 inches, the screen size of this laptop is not as big as some of the other gaming laptops under 2500
11. Acer Predator Helios 500 17.3” Gaming Laptop – PH517-51-72NU
The Acer Predator Helios 500 is an impressive-looking laptop, with a stylishly shaped black exterior and cool blue backlighting.
As a premium laptop under $2500, it has an impressive array of high-quality components making it a high-functioning gaming machine.
You can purchase a whole separate line of matching Predator gaming accessories to have an incredible system, including a headset, RGB mouse, mouse pad, RGB full-size keyboard, and backpack.
Supreme Sound
This Acer laptop has exceptional sound quality, with Waves MAXXAudio technology playing through two speakers and a subwoofer.
You can expect a high-quality, powerful, immersive, and dynamic stereo audio experience.
Keyboard Excellence
This laptop features a four-zoned RGB keyboard that is fully customizable, giving you many impressive colors to enhance your gaming experience.
There are also 5 dedicated hotkeys that have been highlighted to stand out for quick access.
Control Deck
With a feature called PredatorSense on board, you can control and customize many aspects of your gaming and computing experience all in one user-friendly place.
You can alter the lighting, fan speeds, overclocking, and much more.
- This laptop has an HD LED-backlit screen display
- It has a max resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels for HD viewing.
- This gaming laptop features a smooth touchpad mouse
- Has 16GB of DDR4 RAM as standard with a memory speed of 2666 MHz
- This gaming machine boasts performance through Windows 10 Home OS
- It features an HD webcam
- Weighs 8.82 pounds
Specifications
- Brand: Acer
- Screen Display Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7 11800h
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Hard Drive: 256GB NVME SSD + 1TB HDD Hybrid Drive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
Pros
- The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card provides high-quality visuals
- Superior cooling technology with 5 copper heat pipes, 4 exhausts, and 2 intakes
- The High Definition (HD) screen promises blur-free, clear, precise, and responsive visuals
- Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI
- Customizable RGB lights on the keyboard for personalization
Cons
- The average battery life is only 3.5 hours, so for intensive gaming, you may need to ensure this laptop is plugged in at the wall socket
12. Razer Blade 15.6” Gaming Laptop – RZ09-02887E92-R3U1
The Razer Blade gaming laptop for within the premium laptop price range of 2000 to 2500 dollars is great for portability without compromising on durability.
The 0.70-inch thin chassis is reinforced with aluminum to keep it strong yet lightweight.
Sleek and black with Razer logo in green, and backlit RGB keyboard, this laptop is very stylish and impressive looking.
Narrow Bezel Screen
With the laptop being 15.6-inch, Razer made the most of the available screen size by featuring a tiny 4.9mm edge-to-edge bezel. Yeah, this is the thing that makes it much better than it’s previous variant Razer Blade 14 from experience point of view.
With an anti-glare matte screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, you can be guaranteed a very high-quality visual experience.
Upgradability
The Razer gaming laptop comes with 16 GB DDR4 RAM which can be upgraded later to up to 64GB RAM.
Also, the 512GB SSD hard drive that comes as standard can be upgraded to up to 2TB.
Per-Key Customization
The backlit RGB keyboard features a per-key customizable feature so that you can highlight any of the specific keys necessary to get the best from your AAA gaming experience.
There are 16.8 million colors per key to choosing from, with some preset modes, so the possibilities are almost limitless.
Also, if budget of 2500 dollars is a tough call for you then here’s our well-curated list on laptops within the 2000 budget range. Yeah, you should check that too.
- This one of the best gaming laptops features a max screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels for HD experience.
- Has 16GB of DDR4 RAM
- Windows 10 Home operating system is pre-installed on this gaming laptop.
- Has a webcam
- Upgraded version of the display compared to the previous model of Razer Blade 14
- Weighs 4.63 pounds
- The average battery life is 6 hours
Specifications
- Brand: Razer
- Screen Display Size: 15.6 inches
- Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 SD RAM
- Hard Drive: 512GB Solid State Drive
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
Pros
- Comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 Hexa Core processor
- A glass touchpad mouse enables your fingers to make smooth and precise movements
- Comes with 3 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, a Thunderbolt 3 port, a Mini Display Port, and a microphone/headphone combo port
- Unlock your laptop with facial recognition using biometric security
- No unnecessary bloatware
Cons
- This laptop does not have a number keypad
Amazing Secondary Features of a Gaming Laptop Under 2500
There are some amazing features of gaming laptops to now consider before you buy. It is worth doing your research to look for the additional elements each manufacturer adds to their model to help to enhance your experience and make your life easier.
Secondary features are the exciting, innovative, but maybe non-essential added luxuries that make your experience as a laptop user that bit better.
Examples of these could include multi-colored backlit lighting on the laptop and the keyboard, anti-glare screens, uniquely shaped laptop casings, slimline profiles, and other added benefits like onboard control systems that allow you to customize your laptop experience at the touch of a button.
There are such a plethora of companies vying for your attention, that they are trying to ensure that their secondary features stand out and help give you the impetus to choose their brand and model.
You can rest assured that they are making sure that you get a great experience and that your gaming needs are fulfilled.
Also, always remember! Things are always available within your expected budget range. Yeah, even if you’re looking for a decent gamer’s laptop within $1500 range then you could get it using the right direction and guidance.
Design Elements of the Best Gaming Laptop Under 2500
Gaming laptops are especially stylish. And yeah, if you want to take your gaming performance to the sky, then you should consider this factor as a topmost priority in selecting your best gaming laptop under $2500.
Designers have gone all out to dazzle would-be buyers with a whole array of eye-catching features.
Different brands have their own individual ways of designing their vision of the epitome of gaming style.
Here are a couple of examples of what might entice you to buy:
Backlit RGB keyboard keys or in other words RGB backlit keyboards are extremely attractive, with their glowing rainbow effect. But in gaming laptops over 2500, they can often be fully customized to any color or pattern of colors to match specific gameplay, highlight various keys that you need to use during gameplay, or simply set them to your favorite color for fun.
Slim or wide bezel screens are a personal choice, but if you are a special fan of immersive high-quality gaming graphics, the slim bezel screen types might be best for your needs. There is less of a frame around the periphery of your laptop screen, meaning you get to see more of that all-important in-game action.
Maintenance Tips of the Best Gaming Laptops Under 2500
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining and cleaning your laptop.
But generally, you can follow these tips to keep your computer in prime condition:
- Keep your laptop dry and away from moisture
- Protect it from extremes in temperature
- Take care to keep dust away from it as best you can, especially the intakes and vents for the fans
- Be careful not to knock or drop it
- Carry your laptop around in a padded case or sleeve
- Plug peripherals like USB sticks, cables, or SD cards in with care
- Do not use harsh chemicals or cleaning products on your laptop
- Run regular anti-virus checks on your system
- Contact the manufacturer customer services or helpdesk straight away if there is a fault or issue
FAQs
1. Which internal processing chip is best for gaming laptops?
Intel Core chips come as standard with most laptops, and gaming laptops under 750 are no exception.
Laptops generally come in either i3, i5, i7, i9 Intel Core processing chips, with the i3 being the least powerful and the i9 being the most powerful.
For high-quality AAA grade gaming purposes, the i5 or even better the i7 is sufficient.
2. What is RAM and how much do I need for gaming?
RAM is the internal memory system for your laptop, and the more you have the more efficiently it will run.
The minimum requirement for high-end gaming laptops is 16 GB RAM.
32GB of RAM would be better.
However, if you need more RAM in the future, it’s best to check whether your laptop is upgradeable.
3. How can I get amazing graphics on my gaming laptop?
You will need to look out for a high-quality GPU (graphics processing unit).
A particularly good GPU for gaming laptops is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX series, which provides all the crisp colorful visuals that bring your games to life.
4. I want to download my games to my laptop. How big does my hard drive need to be?
The answer to this depends on how many games you have and how many you want to be downloaded onto your laptop at any given time.
But many modern games can take up at least 25GB, so you may need a large-capacity hard drive.
Most gaming laptops under 2500 dollars will have plenty of storage space, but if you need more, look for a laptop with an upgradeable hard drive, or download your games onto external storage devices.
5. Will I get a warranty with my gaming laptop under 2500 dollars?
Most new laptops come with at least a 1-year warranty. Follow the manufacturer instructions for enabling the warranty and do check with the retailer or manufacturer for any additional warranty provision if this is important to you.
6. Are gaming laptops good for other things beyond gaming?
Gaming laptops are great for a number of other things – such as video and image editing, coding, running heavy-duty software, etc. This is because these laptops generally have a powerful CPU and GPU combination, which you generally don’t get to see in standard laptops. Gaming laptops make it easy for users to render their video files or compile their codes because of this.
Moreover, if you aren’t a coder or someone who needs to run power-packed software, you can still use these laptops as a great entertainment unit to watch movies and listen to music because these gaming laptops tend to have a large display and good speakers.
7. What all to consider while buying a gaming laptop?
There are a number of factors that need to be considered when you are buying a gaming laptop. The first things that you need to check out are the CPU and the GPU. Try going for the latest and the most advanced CPU and GPU to get the best possible gaming performance. Besides that, also try and get at least 16GB RAM along with 1TB storage space. You also need to get a large display and speakers that are loud. Lastly, the laptop also needs to have an excellent heat dissipation mechanism to ensure that your laptop does not overheat while you are gaming.
8. Why are gaming laptops generally more expensive than regular laptops?
Gaming laptops are generally priced higher than most standard laptops because of the kind of specifications they demand. These laptops need to carry a power-packed CPU and GPU, as well as a large storage space and a powerful RAM as well. All four of these components tend to be quite expensive and thus the better the specs are, the more expensive these laptops are going to get! This is the primary reason as to why gaming laptops generally tend to be more expensive than regular laptops.
9. What to do to ensure my gaming laptop does not heat up?
Gaming requires a lot of power to be drawn and your processor and GPU bear the brunt of this power demand on most occasions. This is why there’s a lot of heat that is generated and most gaming laptops carry built-in fans or cooling systems to make sure that the laptop remains cool (or at least does not heat up too much). In case you’re still finding your laptop to heat up, we recommend using external cooling pads, or to turn on the air conditioning. Also make sure that your vents are always clean because dirt in the vents can block the path from which the heat escapes the laptop and can therefore cause major overheating.
Conclusion
It can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing a gaming laptop, with so many brands and models on the market, all vying for your attention.
High spec gaming laptops need to deliver on many levels. They need to be both impressive looking, and even more impressive on the inside to deliver the technology that will produce great power, speed, durability, portability, graphics, audio, and many other features.
Not only for gaming — modern-day laptops also need to be great at multi-tasking or providing cross-over functionality as home and work computers, and even entertainment systems for streaming, music, and movies.
We hope we have helped make it more clear for you to understand so that you can make an informed choice.
Thank you for reading this guide and for giving us the opportunity to help you make the right decision when it comes to finding the best gaming laptop under $2500.