Best gaming laptops under $1,500

Top pick: Lenovo Legion 5i (15.1", WQXGA 165Hz) — a Core i7-14700HX with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, and the sharp, fast screen is the part you'll notice every day. It's the most laptop you can get inside this budget.

Who the others suit:

• Alienware Aurora 16 — best all-rounder if you want a big, crisp 16" panel and strong ratings for less.
• HP HyperX OMEN 15.3" — smooth 165Hz play with a slightly taller screen, good for mixed gaming and schoolwork.
• Asus TUF Gaming F16 — the pick for competitive shooters, with a 300Hz display.
• Acer Nitro V 15 — the value choice if you'd rather spend less and still play comfortably.
• MSI Cyborg 15.6" — a budget RTX 5050 option; fine for 1080p, but the weakest of the bunch.

Skip the no-name 17" models if you care about support and build quality.